Inclusive chemistry

Andrea Banham, Royal Society of Chemistry

Diversity and inclusion has a long history at the Royal Society of Chemistry. We have led research into the different issues that affect inclusion in the sciences and we have championed diversity in STEM. Following an audit of our activities under the aspect of diversity last year, we now developed a new strategy that will help us to promote an inclusive and diverse chemical science community by shaping our future activities.

Our new Inclusion and Diversity committee

One of our first steps was to establish a new Inclusion and Diversity Committee, which met for the first time last May. Reporting to the Membership and Qualifications Board, the committee’s role is to support our aims of promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all staff, members and the wider community in a global context. It meets three times a year to develop and monitor our diversity strategy, assess our progress and help us to build an evidence base to inform future activities. Chaired by our Immediate-Past President Lesley Yellowlees, the committee benefits from the experience and expertise of eight members who reflect the diversity of our community.

Paul Taylor was a founding member of the Diversity Working Group – the committee’s predecessor. He explains why he wanted to be part of the new committee: “I believe inclusive practices make organisations stronger for all their stakeholders, both economically and in terms of social justice.”

Another committee member, Jess Taylor, brings experience of being involved with the internal diversity and inclusion committee at Novartis. “I will never lose my passion for chemistry, and feel that I can make a valuable contribution to the RSC’s aims of building an inclusive environment for scientists through this committee,” she describes her motivation.

Her feelings are echoed by Mark Smith who has a particular passion for embedding diversity in all aspects of the chemical sciences. He says: “I am a disabled member with a mental health illness. Although I don’t have a higher degree, I am a Chartered Chemist and have worked in industry and government. I want to help make the RSC a more inclusive organisation by representing disabled members and members beyond academia.”

Marion Brooks-Bartlett, a PhD student at University College London, also brings personal experiences to the committee: “My interest in becoming a member of the Inclusion and Diversity committee at the Royal Society of Chemistry is due to my own experience as a female from an ethnic minority. I envisage a more diverse RSC that is able to support and develop an inclusive chemical science community, and I am excited that, as a member of this committee, I have the opportunity to be a part of the change I would like to see.”

Looking beyond women in science

As part of our strategy, and through the work of the Inclusion and Diversity Committee, we aim to embed a range of methods to improve diversity across our Boards and Committees, prizes and awards, education and other activities, and to improve the accessibility of our events and online platforms and products.

One of the things that first spring to mind when talking about diversity is women in STEM. It has been widely reported that the proportion of women in academic chemistry decreases significantly with increasing seniority. But while we have fairly comprehensive evidence about women’s careers in academia and the barriers they might face, we have very little data about what is happening in industry and around diversity in its broadest sense. Before we can begin developing activities or recommending policies, we need to make sure we understand the issues we are trying to address.

Throughout the last year, we held a number of policy events on diversity. The lack of evidence of the problems our community faces, was a recurring theme at all of them. So this is something we aim to address through our future work.

Highlights of our work in 2014

At our Inspiring Progress event in May, we celebrated the first time in history when all three of the UK’s leading subject-specific scientific societies were led by female presidents. Students and early-career researchers had an opportunity to meet and engage with our then President Professor Lesley Yellowlees, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President of the Society of Biology, and Dr Frances Saunders, President of the Institute of Physics, three inspiring and successful scientists.

In June we held a workshop for representatives from over 30 chemistry departments looking to submit applications for a departmental Athena SWAN award. The Equality Challenge Unit’s Athena SWAN Charter recognises a commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

We brought together MPs, industrialists, experts from organisations specialising in diversity, and representatives from our Council and the Inclusion and Diversity Committee at our Diversity in Science lunch. The event not only built relationships with policymakers and influencers, but also generated a wealth of ideas to inform our future activities.

Most recently, we held the Joliot-Curie Conference for early-career chemists in Edinburgh this autumn. Now in its third year, this annual event seeks to support diversity in the chemical sciences by addressing barriers to career progression and supporting researchers who aspire to establish an independent career.

Help us fill the gaps

We want to improve the diversity of our community at all levels and in all areas through a dedicated programme of activities and the development of policies and procedures that are embedded throughout all we do. Before we begin, we need to identify the unknown or little understood barriers that members of our community might be facing. To support our understanding, we would love to hear from members of our community you about any experiences or suggestions.

In the meantime, we will continue to champion role models across chemistry through our 175 Faces of Chemistry initiative. Ahead of our 175th anniversary, we are still looking for inspirational scientists and ambassadors that we can add to our portfolio.