Diversity and inclusion in STEM

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 22 Nov 2021 Closed: 19 Feb 2024 Parliament page
There is evidence to suggest that women, certain ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in education, training and employment related to STEM . While there is significant variation in rates of progression and outcomes across ethnic minority groups, research shows that ethnic minority … Read more
17 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
3 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 15 events
16 Jun
2023
Report published
24 Mar
2023
Report published
16 Nov
2022
Correspondence
14 Jul
2022
Correspondence
30 Jun
2022
Correspondence
15 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
15 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
18 May
2022
Oral evidence
18 May
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
27 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
27 Apr
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
16 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
15 Jun 2022
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George Freeman MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Gillian Unsworth · Equality Hub Kemi Badenoch · Government Equalities Office Marcus Bell · Equality Hub Mr Robin Walker · Department for Education Paul Kett · Department for Education Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS · UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
18 May 2022
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Clare Hayes · Hyndland Secondary School Dr Claire Crawford · Institute for Fiscal Studies Dr Jasper Green · Institute of Education Jane Lunnon · Alleyn's School Mark Turner · Skipton High School for Girls Professor Dame Athene Donald · University of Cambridge Professor Ulrike Tillmann · London Mathematical Society Rachel Youngman · Institute of Physics
27 Apr 2022
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Dr Gayle Brewer · University of Liverpool and National Association of Disabled Staff Networks Dr Izzy Jayasinghe · School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, and LGBTQ+ STEM Dr Jasleen Jolly · Anglia Ruskin University and National Association of Disabled Staff Networks Dr Katie Perry · The Daphne Jackson Trust Katharine Birbalsingh CBE · Social Mobility Commission Katherine Sparkes MBE · Lightyear Foundation
16 Mar 2022
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Claudenia Williams · Kingsley Academy Professor Narender Ramnani · Royal Holloway University of London Professor Rachel Oliver FREng · University of Cambridge and The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research and STEMM Russell Hobby · Teach First Sam Freedman · The Institute for Government
23 Feb 2022
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Clare Viney · Careers Research Advisory Centre-Vitae Dr Anna Zecharia · Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health (EDIS) Dr Jake Anders · UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities Dr Rebecca Montacute · Sutton Trust Katherine Mathieson · British Science Association Professor Jeremy Sanders CBE FRS · Royal Society
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclusion in STEM HC 95 24 Mar 2023 26 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
Clear
1 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
The Government should, in its response to this Report, tell us how it plans to...
The Government should, in its response to this Report, tell us how it plans to monitor, evaluate and report on progress in delivering “in-house STEM capability” across public services, including the NHS and schools.
Government Response
The government states that the S&T Framework commits to building STEM skills and literacy, highlights the role of the GSE Profession, mentions the GSE strategy on Diversity and Inclusion, and states that DSIT will publish an update by the end of 2023 on the progress of the framework.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
All children should be able to see themselves in what they learn from an early...
All children should be able to see themselves in what they learn from an early age. The national curriculum and exam subject specifications should be kept under review and updated where it is appropriate to the context to include more … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it funds a network of 29 Science Learning Partnerships that provide CPD to teachers and technicians to improve subject knowledge and pedagogy.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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6 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
The data on STEM subject uptake and attainment at GCSE and A-level paints a complex...
The data on STEM subject uptake and attainment at GCSE and A-level paints a complex picture. There are clear differences between boys and girls, with the latter seemingly less inclined to pursue STEM subjects than the former. The evidence our … Read more
Government Response
The government presents data showing improved female representation in STEM subjects at A level, highlighting increases in STEM A-level entries from girls, and their attainment.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
We welcome Ofsted’s recent report examining science education in primary and secondary schools.
We welcome Ofsted’s recent report examining science education in primary and secondary schools. However, some contributors to our inquiry suggested that given the importance of inspection, it could do more to encourage diversity and inclusion in STEM education. Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ofsted plays an important role in ensuring pupils have access to high quality STEM teaching and considers the breadth of the curriculum and equal access to education during school inspections.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
The Government should tell us whether it has consulted with Ofsted on levels of uptake...
The Government should tell us whether it has consulted with Ofsted on levels of uptake and attainment among different groups of children, and whether it has discussed an expansion of its inspection criteria to include a more comprehensive picture of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ofsted already considers curriculum breadth and equal access to high-quality education, including addressing barriers to STEM take-up among girls, disadvantaged pupils, and those with SEND.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
Ofsted should, as part of its inspection criteria, gather data and report on levels of...
Ofsted should, as part of its inspection criteria, gather data and report on levels of subject take-up and attainment among pupils with different characteristics, such as gender, ethnic background and socio-economic background. The latter could utilise Free School Meals eligibility, … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ofsted already considers curriculum breadth and equal access to high-quality education, including addressing barriers to STEM take-up among girls, disadvantaged pupils, and those with SEND.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
There are clear benefits when children are taught by teachers with qualifications, professional experience, or...
There are clear benefits when children are taught by teachers with qualifications, professional experience, or specialism in those subjects. The Government should set a target for every child to be taught STEM subjects by teachers with qualifications in that subject … Read more
Government Response
The Department recognises the importance of teachers having strong subject knowledge, particularly in STEM subjects, and states that they have designed a suite of professional development opportunities, including National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), to support teachers.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
The Government should assess the impact of further salary increases on recruitment targets for STEM...
The Government should assess the impact of further salary increases on recruitment targets for STEM subjects with particularly acute shortages; and detail its findings in its response to this Report. It should also tell us what further interventions are planned … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing challenges in recruitment and retention of teachers in STEM subjects, and mentions the £181 million available in bursaries and scholarships to attract trainee teachers in high-priority subjects.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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22 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Diversity and Inclu…
We welcome the move towards alternative processes such as narrative CVs and hope to see...
We welcome the move towards alternative processes such as narrative CVs and hope to see them become the norm in STEM research funding calls, subject to evaluation.
Government Response
UKRI has been supporting the wider community adoption of narrative CV formats through a vanguard R&I community roll out programme, co-creating resources and piloting the narrative CV in over 25 funding opportunities across UKRI’s remit.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 17 classified
Accepted 9
Acknowledged 11
Not Addressed 6
Total 17 recs + 9 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
16 Nov 2022 Correspondence from the committee to the Secretary of state relating to Diversity and Inclusion in STEM maths funding
Parliament page
14 Jul 2022 Correspondence from the Science Minister relating to diversity and inclusion in STEM and Horizon Europe
Parliament page
30 Jun 2022 Correspondence to the Science Minister relating to diversity and inclusion in STEM and Horizon Europe
Parliament page