EDIS Presents Oral Evidence at Parliamentary Inquiry into Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

On Wednesday 23rd February, EDIS presented oral evidence to the Science and Technology Committee inquiry into diversity and inclusion in STEM. EDIS was represented by Development Board member Dr. Anna Zecharia, who discussed a range of issues in STEM, including the need for systemic change in the sector through a social justice approach to inequalities.

Read our previous written evidence submission here.
[Appendix features a collated list of previous reports and recommendations.]

Background

The oral evidence session [parliamentary session site] was an opportunity for EDIS to present our work on equality and inclusion in STEM to the cross-party selection of MPs on the Science and Technology Committee. EDIS presented evidence alongside other groups working on equality in STEM including the British Science Association, the Royal Society, the Careers Research Advisory Centre-Vitae, the UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities and the Sutton Trust.

The Committee will use the collected evidence from the inquiry sessions to make recommendations to the government through a published report. This report will represent multiple years of work since Professor Rachel Oliver first proposed an initial inquiry into equality, diversity and inclusion in science funding to the Committee in 2018. This initial inquiry was abandoned by the Committee in 2019 due to a change in government, while the research community involved in the initial inquiry pitch became The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM (TIGERS).

Our Evidence

In 2021, after the All Party Parliamentary Group on diversity in STEM published their 2020 report on equity in the STEM workforce, the Science and Technology Committee once again decided to run an inquiry on diversity and inclusion in STEM. EDIS submitted written evidence to the inquiry in January 2022, co-authored by Dr. Anna Zecharia, Dr. Lilian Hunt and Professor Rachael Gooberman-Hill, with a focus on the systemic nature of inequalities in STEM and contextualising inequality in the sector as a wider societal issue. Our written evidence read:

“A lack of diversity in STEM reflects a wider social context of unequal and inequitable opportunities and systems. The balance of power in society – including systems, structures, access to and distribution of resources, history and culture – all contribute to persistent inequalities and underrepresentation.”

The Committee called on EDIS to present oral evidence in February based on the strength of this written submission and our social justice approach to inequalities in the sector. This was the first time EDIS has been called as an expert witness to give oral evidence to a parliamentary committee and Dr. Zecharia acted as representative, drawing on her work co-drafting the EDIS written evidence as a Development Board member and her long track record of working with EDI in science.

Over the course of the oral evidence session, Dr. Zecharia reiterated the social justice framework used in the written evidence, stating that:

“We must get across the fact that STEM is part of society; it is not immune from societal forces and is entrenched in inequalities. These things play out in our institutions, processes and systems, and they inform who gets to succeed. Who you are has a bearing on how successful you are.”

Dr. Zecharia later expanded on what is meant by social justice in relation to EDI in STEM when questioned by Carol Monaghan MP, explaining that the social justice framework splits the issue into three parts. The first is the social aspect, which understands that “[STEM] exists in the context of society and, within our institutions, you need to look at [diversity and inclusion] at a societal and systems level.” The second part is the justice aspect, which Dr. Zecharia summarised as “recognising inequality and entrenched inequalities, and that that is not fair, and putting a determination for fairness at the heart of what we are doing”. The final element is considering STEM as a driver of social justice in itself, as Dr. Zecharia explained: “Diversity within the research system leads to diversity of research questions and, ultimately, research outcomes that have benefit for the whole of society.” These three aspects combine to form EDIS’ social justice framework for tackling inequalities in STEM.

In addition to expanding on our social justice framework, Dr. Zecharia also discussed how legislation can increase diversity in STEM in response to a question by Rebecca Long Bailey MP. Dr. Zecharia noted that the Equality Act 2010 is now over a decade old and that parts of the sector are now questioning whether the scope of protected characteristics is broad enough, or whether characteristics such as socioeconomic status and paternity should also be protected. She also noted that law around positive action and the public sector equality duty was potentially not being used to its fullest extent, and that there may be scope to use this legislation in ensuring organisations undertake equality impact assessments.

Dr. Zecharia also highlighted the importance of EDIS’ work in response to a further question around setting up a new body to monitor progress in the sector and emphasised the importance of groups like EDIS in affecting sector change, stating:

“To use EDIS as an example, that is a membership organisation where we hold each other to account, and we recognise the importance of local high-level buy-in to strategy and it is a space for shared learning. Both of those things are important in making progress.”

Next Steps

The inquiry is currently ongoing and had a second oral evidence session [parliamentary session site] on 16th March 2022 where further evidence was presented by representatives from the Institute for Government, Ark, Teach First, Kingsley Academy, the University of Cambridge, TIGERS, and Royal Holloway University of London. EDIS will observe the rest of the evidence sessions and respond where necessary and appropriate, including to the inquiry’s final response.

Between our submission to the APPG in 2020, our evidence submission for the ongoing inquiry and our upcoming collective response to the UKRI EDI strategy, over the coming months we will be reflecting on our goals to ensure we continue to drive progress effectively. To do this, we will be working with The Equal Group to reimagine our governance structure and business plan in the light of new evidence, new landscapes and new partnerships. To keep up to date with this process and regular EDIS news, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.