Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
3
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
Improved data collection and the application of lessons from it are key to addressing under-representation. We welcome the biannual Research and Innovation workforce survey being led by BEIS, and the Government’s recognition of the need to better capture the diversity challenge on the basis of characteristics other than gender— such …
Government response. The government's response only mentions its ambition on STEM, without addressing the specific recommendation to set out how it plans to make the Research and Innovation workforce survey meaningfully useful or to include an action plan with the forthcoming results.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
13
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
We recommend as an alternative to compulsion the introduction of a requirement for pupils who do not continue with a STEM subject post-16 to take the Advanced Mathematical Support Programme or a Core Science course. Core Science could be developed using the same applied principles as Core Maths and the …
Government response. The government restates the recommendation verbatim without providing a response.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
18
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
The Government should consider what support it could offer to initiatives such as Now Teach, which draw upon experienced professionals to help meet STEM teacher recruitment challenges and to inspire a more diverse range of pupils to continue with STEM subjects. (Paragraph 113) STEM research institutions
Government response. The response focuses on female representation in STEM subjects at A level, which does not address the recommendation about supporting initiatives such as Now Teach to help meet STEM teacher recruitment challenges.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
19
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
The Government, UK Research and Innovation and other research funders should make funding available for research facilities undertaking reasonable adjustments to ensure they are fully accessible. (Paragraph 127) Diversity and inclusion in STEM 53
Government response. The response focuses on female representation in STEM subjects at A level, which does not address the recommendation about funding for research facilities to undertake reasonable adjustments to ensure they are fully accessible.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
20
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
Some STEM researchers face a discriminatory working environment. Whilst this reflects inequities that exist elsewhere in society it is nevertheless a source of deep concern. The process of reducing and ultimately ending such prejudice will not be swift but is vitally important.
Government response. The response focuses on statistics about Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnic group UK pupils in STEM courses, and does not address the discriminatory working environment faced by some STEM researchers.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
21
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion …
Not Addressed
Our inquiry received evidence that highlighted the importance of addressing as a matter of urgency the precarious nature of many contracts in STEM academia. We examined these issues in greater depth as part of our inquiry into reproducibility and research integrity.
Government response. The response focuses on statistics about Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnic group UK pupils in STEM courses, and does not address the issue of precarious contracts in STEM academia.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology