Diversity in STEM
BIS is committed to ensuring that the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce is as representative of wider society as possible. Diversity in STEM is an underpinning strand of the Science and Society Strategy.
We encourage all of our partners who are delivering activities in STEM education and public engagement to consider the involvement of all under-represented groups.
Since 2004, efforts have been focused on increasing the involvement of women in STEM and in addressing the under-representation of black and minority ethnic (BME) groups. The previous Government’s approach to the gender imbalance was set out in 2003 in ‘A Strategy for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology’. The key mechanism for taking the strategy forward has been the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET (UKRC), launched in 2004.
STEMNET, another Government-backed initiative, aims to encourage uptake of STEM subjects from across all sectors of society. STEMNET fields over 19,000 volunteers, providing science-related activities in schools, 41% of whom are women, while 10% are from BME backgrounds.
