Diversity in STEMM and Innovation
The Diversity in STEMM and Innovation research group brings academics from a range of science and humanities disciplines together with practitioners working in widening participation and career development to address inequalities in the sciences, both in higher education and industry, in the UK and globally.
Across STEMM disciplines, there are significant, entrenched class, gender, ethnic and religious disparities in attainment and progression, which lead to reduced opportunities to enter professions and engage in innovation and entrepreneurship. This cluster takes a whole-system approach to understanding how such identities influence, and limit, STEMM-related public engagement, educational progression, upskilling and employment pipelines.
The cluster emerges out of ground-breaking research carried out at the University of Birmingham examining how cultural and historical narratives about science and society facilitate stereotyping and social exclusion. It extends this work, drawing on expertise from psychology, sociology, education and business and management, as well as STEMM disciplines.
In modern society, the term ‘science’ holds immense cultural authority, but it is also bound up with historical narratives and cultural practices that work to limit people’s interaction with science and technology, and inhibit the entry of talented people into some of the most socially important professions.
Related research projects
Science and the Transmission of Islamic Knowledge
The relationship between Islam and science is understood and discussed by those involved in the transmission of Islamic knowledge.
The Nature of Islamophobia in Contemporary Britain
Public perceptions of Islam as a tradition and how these perceptions intersect with views of British Muslims as a population.
Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum of Global Perspectives
Seeking to build an understanding of the social and cultural contexts of public perceptions of the relationship between ‘science’ and ‘religion’ across all religious and non-religious groups.
International Research Network for the Social Study of Science and Religion
Bringing together international researchers from across the social sciences and humanities to study science, religion and belief in society and culture.
Cluster members
Cluster members
- Dr Stephen Jones (Cluster lead)
- Professor Fern Elsdon-Baker (Professor of Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society)
- Dr Carissa Sharp (Research Fellow)
- Professor Joanne Duberley (Professor of Organisational Studies)
- Professor Ed Wilding (Professor in Psychology)
- Leanne Campbell (Doctoral researcher)
- Dr Clare Ray (Reader in Widening Participation in Biomedical Education)
- Dr Saleema F. Burney (Research Fellow)