UK Royal Society tackles ethnic minority participation in science
The UK's Royal Society launched a study on 4 May into how role models can be used to persuade young people, particularly from ethnic minorities, to follow careers in science. The investigation will include an online survey of scientists in the UK to discover what influenced their career choices, as well as the first detailed analysis of the representation of ethnic groups at different levels of science, engineering and technology (SET). Sir John Enderby, vice president of the Royal Society, said: 'We all tend to accept that role models exert a powerful positive influence on school pupils, but there has not been any previous attempt to find out how important they are in [SET].' The study is funded by the UK government's department for education and skills, and is being supervised by Sir Magdi Yacoub, a distinguished heart surgeon based at the national heart and lung institute. The guide will result in the publication of a guide to best practice in promoting role models in autumn 2004. Also on 4 May, the Royal Society hosted a forum entitled 'Ready SET go: race for equality - achieving ethnic minority participation in science.' The aim of the meeting, according to the society, was to draw together the different strands of the debate about ethnic minorities in science, and move it to a new phase of encouraging good practice and more targeted action. Key to achieving this aim, the meeting of ethnic minority researchers, policy makers, social scientists and university admissions officers heard, is identifying the barriers to career progression for ethnic minority scientists so that action can be taken. 'The recent government announcement of a ten year investment plan for science will bring increasing numbers of opportunities at all levels of science. Not only do we need to encourage young people of all ethnic backgrounds and both genders to study science, we need to make sure that anyone pursuing a career in science is supported so that they can reach the highest levels and fully reflect the diversity in our society,' Sir John said. The recommendations of the forum will be published later this year, and will not only inform the Royal Society's diversity strategy, but also influence work ongoing throughout the UK to widen ethnic minority participation in science, the society said.
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United Kingdom