As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is pioneering in its approach to enhancing the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) of talented individuals within the bioscience research and innovation community, through all its strategies, programmes and processes. We value and promote an inclusive research community where diverse talent is used to advance discovery, develop skills and knowledge, and drive innovation in the UK.
Our aspiration is to:
- embed diversity in all we do
- be recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in equality, diversity and inclusion in the research community
- eliminate unintentional bias from our systems, processes, behaviours and culture
- recognise, learn from and work with our partners to create inclusive research communities.
Our expectation is that all organisations with which we work demonstrate and evidence their commitment to inclusivity. Collectively, we will positively promote research as a career that is available to everybody.
Read more information on UKRI’s work within EDI.
Diversity data
UKRI has published harmonised diversity data for the past five academic years for all research councils, including BBSRC. This data will continue to be published annually.
The dataset contains data on four protected characteristics (sex, age, ethnicity, and disability) for:
- Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator grant applicants and awardees
- Fellowship applicants and awardees
- PhD studentships.
Find out more and access the data.
BBSRC also gather the same data on:
- Strategy Advisory Panel (SAP) members and applicants
- PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup members and applicants
reviewers - committee chairs and attendees
- pool of experts members and applicants.
We are committed to ensuring that the best researchers from a diverse population are attracted into research careers and supporting these careers. We will ensure our funding mechanisms and processes do not present any potential barriers and bias to funding and ensure that people who are engaged with the processes operate these fairly and without prejudice or bias.
We will be transparent and accountable to whom and how we fund research. We will continue our work to achieve diversity in the membership of BBSRC Council, Strategy Advisory Panels and Research Committees.
Ongoing projects
- analysis of EDI data to better understand our communities
- enhancing a positive research culture, in line with UKRI’s action plans for the Technician Commitment and Researcher Concordat
- increasing participation across our Strategy Advisory Panels and research committees
- improving access to postgraduate research
- increasing external communication of our work in EDI.
Find out more about the BBSRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group.
Contact
David McAllister
Telephone: 01793 413293
Email: david.mcallister@bbsrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 31 March 2022