‘Act now for STEM growth’
REPORT URGES MINISTERS TO IMPROVE SECTOR’S DIVERSITY AFTER COVID IMPACT
PEOPLE from ethnic minorities employed in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sectors have suffered disproportionately during the Covid-19 pandemic, a report said on Tuesday (20).
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on diversity and inclusion in STEM is seeking action to drive equality in the sector as it said the UK faces losing a generation of STEM workers.
Evidence has shown the pandemic has exacerbated historic and systemic disadvantages for certain groups, the group said. However, the recovery from the pandemic provides an opportunity to address these structural issues, the APPG added.
Chi Onwurah MP, chair of the APPG on diversity and inclusion in STEM, said: “Having worked as an engineer before entering parliament, I know too well the barriers that minoritised groups in STEM face. Sadly, diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce was bad before Covid hit, and our inquiry’s findings show how the pandemic has preyed on this disadvantage and exacerbated it even more.
“Regrettably, the result is that a generation of STEM workers from diverse communities, in particular, black people, women, disabled people and those from the LGBTQ+ community, will be lost from the STEM workforce unless the government takes action.”
The report suggested ministers take a “multi-pronged” approach to drive equity in the STEM workforce, as findings show it is less diverse than the wider workforce, but consistent data collection and sharing is lacking.
Katherine Mathieson, the chief executive of the British Science Association, said: “Over the past few decades, there have been countless initiatives, programmes and schemes designed to improve the diversity, and in some cases, the inclusivity of our sector.
“However, there has been very little shift in the make-up of the STEM workforce as a result of this effort. The inquiry has uncovered just how disastrous the pandemic has been for many already disadvantaged members of the STEM workforce.
“With the recommendations in our report, the government has the opportunity to act to help mitigate the devastation caused by the pandemic and create equitable economic prosperity now and for future generations.”
Stephen Metcalfe MP called the report’s findings “concerning”.
“They cannot be ignored, particularly as we look to put the science and tech industries at the heart of the government’s agenda,” Metcalfe said.
“We want to grow this sector and create more equitable opportunity with plans to level-up across the country.”
Launched in November 2020, the inquiry collected evidence from more than 150 institutions, businesses, networks and individuals to understand how extreme the impact of Covid-19 had been for people of marginalised groups in the STEM sector.