Talented women, interested in an academic career, are leaving the sector before reaching their full potential. Many excellent female scientists who stay in academia are not progressing to senior grades in the same proportion as their male peers.
Through a major survey, interviews and focus groups, we have gathered data from across the community 鈥� giving us new insights into the barriers facing women in the chemical sciences.
Systemic barriers are stopping women's progression
Our respondents describe:
An over-reliance on funding structures that create uncertainty and unnecessary pressure.
An inflexible and unsupportive academic culture that drives talented chemists elsewhere.
Difficulty balancing work with other responsibilities, and the perception that caring takes priority for women.
Our survey also gathered strong anecdotal evidence of harassment and bullying. Some respondents even describe these behaviours as characteristic of academic departments.
It鈥檚 time to act: #ChemEquality
These barriers disproportionately affect women鈥檚 retention and progression, but they affect everyone working in academic chemistry. Addressing them will have a positive impact on the entire chemical sciences community.
Gender parity is just one outcome of a healthy, equitable and well-run system that works for everyone in the chemical sciences.
We can build this system together if we act now.
Funders
Balance your short- and long-term funding structures.
Academic institutions
Lay the foundations for a fair and healthy working culture.
Everyone
Enforce a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment.
We will build on the actions we have taken over the past few years with a five point plan:
- To launch a bullying and harassment helpline by summer 2019
- To launch Carers鈥� Grants in early 2019
- To launch annual recognition for chemistry departments that demonstrate significant progress in inclusion & diversity
- To facilitate an exchange programme of best practice between peers
- To launch a gender equality forum to accelerate culture change
What will you do differently?
Join us: the 欧美AV is at its most impactful when the chemical sciences community is united behind our actions. We can lobby for change, demonstrate best practice and influence other organisations, but we need you as individuals to put this change into practice.Act as a sponsor: sponsorship matters to women at all career stages and has a major contribution to progression and success. Support and sponsor women to succeed.
Nominate women scientists: prizes and awards have a positive impact on individuals鈥� careers and role models in the community. Nominations of women and by women are still too low.
Act as a role model: demand and expect flexibility. Be proud of your achievements, at work and at home. Request sponsorship and mentoring.
Talk to us
If you would like to share your thoughts on this report or tell us about your own experiences of career progression, send us an email.
Related pages
- See all of our inclusion and diversity surveys and reports
- Read our inclusion and diversity strategy
- Use our resources to promote inclusion and diversity
- See relevant events and activities
- Sign up for Broadening Horizons - our pilot to support chemistry students and graduates from minoritised racial and ethnic backgrounds to pursue careers in chemistry
- Access our bullying and harassment support
- See our other inclusion and diversity work
Visit our other policy, evidence and campaign pages
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