Agents of Change Shortlist - Prof. Rachel Oliver (The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM [TIGERS])

The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM (TIGERS)

Prof. Rachel Oliver

The data obtained will enable TIGERS, as well as other groups and research funding agencies themselves, to effectively apply pressure within the research ecosystem (e.g. through professional societies, funding bodies, journal editors) to promote and accelerate change internationally.

This initiative will be led by a group of Material Scientists belonging to The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM (TIGERS), a growing network of UK-based scientists and related professionals working towards equity in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine).  TIGERS emerged from an initiative led by Professor Rachel Oliver, which successfully proposed that the UK Parliament’s Select Committee on Science and Technology carry out an inquiry into the effect of research funding policy on equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

The TIGERS wish to use the Agents of Change award to conduct a detailed analysis of the barriers that scientists who are members of typically under-represented minorities experience when applying for research funding. If we do not have data to understand the barriers to obtaining funding, we will be unable to provide evidence-based solutions to enact change. The barriers, and associated biases, in our funding landscape that limit the  success of under-represented minorities in applying for funding have far-reaching effects on scientific progress and on individual’s careers.

In depth data on funding, broken down to a level which allows different forms of underrepresentation to be addressed, is needed. At present, there is only patchy anecdotal evidence, disparate and difficult to assess as a whole.  The Agents of Change award will provide us with funding, and a platform, to conduct the most in-depth survey to date regarding these issues. The data obtained will enable TIGERS, as well as other groups and research funding agencies themselves, to effectively apply pressure within the research ecosystem (e.g. through professional societies, funding bodies, journal editors) to promote and accelerate change internationally.