It is no secret that science has a diversity problem, and the chemical sciences are no exception. Our Missing Elements research shows that chemical scientists
Once again, the quality of applicants was exceptionally high, which testifies to the wealth of talent that our discipline stands to benefit from. Today’s Taster Event is a fantastic chance for participants to find out more about the many career pathways available with a chemical sciences degree and start thinking about how you would like to develop over the next year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Broadening Horizons partners for their generous financial and practical support. Systemic change requires systemic collaboration, and we are fortunate to work with companies who share our commitment to building a truly inclusive and diverse chemical sciences workforce. On behalf of the RSC and our partners, I wish the 2023-2024 cohort every success over the coming year. We are excited to get to see you grow, and to continue our own learning about how to nurture a thriving, diverse and inclusive chemical sciences community.
from minoritised racial and ethnic backgrounds face systemic barriers in their careers and are more likely to leave the profession following undergraduate studies. Our Broadening Horizons in the Chemical Sciences programme aims to change that. We launched this three-year pilot last year in collaboration with 10 leading companies. This year, we are pleased to see that number has grown. Our aim is to provide access to pathways for Black and minority ethnic chemical scientists into careers in industry. We are proud to say that the first year has far exceeded our ambitious expectations. Participants have benefited from mentoring, site visits and other opportunities to learn from industry experts. They tell us that taking part has opened their eyes to a much wider range of options and they now feel more confident – and better equipped – to pursue their future career in the chemical sciences. Some participants of our first cohort have already accepted jobs and placements with partner companies, made available thanks to Broadening Horizons. These early-career opportunities are hugely important as they provide real insights into life in industry. As we welcome you as our second cohort to the programme, we look forward to building on this success – together.
Dr Helen Pain CSci CChem FRSC CEO, Royal Society of Chemistry
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