British Science Association backs new Women in Research Charter

The British Science Association has welcomed the announcement of a new Government charter aiming to deliver paid family leave, flexible working and tougher action on workplace harassment for women working in research. 

Currently, girls make up 48% of science, technology, engineering and maths GCSE students, and women account for 53% of science undergraduates. Those numbers fall sharply as careers progress, with women holding just 31% of professorships and men being nearly three times more likely to have careers in research and development.  

Announced on Wednesday 1 July 2026 by Secretary of State for Science Liz Kendall, the Women in Research Charter aims to put an end to the need for making a choice between prioritising a career or family life.  

Barriers such as no paid maternity leave for female PhD researchers have held women back from pursuing or developing their careers in research – ultimately depriving everyone of breakthroughs that could benefit us all.   

Every signatory to the charter must at least match the support UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) already provides to the PhD students they fund. This includes support for pregnancy-related sickness, adoption, neonatal care and the loss of a baby. This will mean at least 52 weeks of maternity leave, with a full stipend for the first 26 weeks, and a minimum of two weeks’ paid leave for partners. 

The Science Secretary is urging UK research organisations to sign up. More than 60 universities and research organisations are among first to sign up, including King’s College London, the University of Southampton, the University of Edinburgh, the British Academy, and the Academy of Medical Sciences. 

The British Science Association was among organisations whose expertise fed into the new framework, with key messages and recommendations coming out of last year’s APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM work on data collection, insight and analysis (the British Science Association is the APPG’s Secretariat). 

British Science Association Chief Executive Hannah Russell says: 

“The British Science Association welcomes the new Women in Research Charter as an important step towards a resilient research system that better reflects the diversity of the society it serves. 

“Measures such as improved family leave, flexible working and stronger action to tackle harassment are essential to ensure women can thrive at every stage of their careers. Transparent, proportionate data requirements will also play a vital role in driving accountability and progress.  

“Through our work with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM and as new hosts for EDIS (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health), we are committed to driving meaningful, system-wide change. 

“This charter will provide a valuable framework for collective action to improve outcomes for women in research and we look forward to working alongside government and signatories to deliver on its aims.” 

The British Science Association was appointed as the new host of EDIS earlier this year, with Karen Blake MBE appointed Head of EDIS in June. 

Under the Women in Research Charter, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will work with EDIS, Advance HE and HESA to bring the charter’s signatories together to share effective practice, maximise impact, and collectively improve data transparency, consistency and comparability. 

This work will focus on getting the most out of existing data collection processes and strengthening understanding of intersectionality, the institutional and systemic factors shaping women’s progression through research careers, and the effectiveness of existing interventions. 

Karen Blake MBE, Head of EDIS, says: 

“The Women in Research Charter is exactly the kind of collective action the sector needs, and EDIS is proud to help take it forward. Improved family leave, flexible working and stronger action on harassment are essential if women are to progress at every stage of their careers. Just as important is the charter's focus on data, helping us move from good intentions to genuine accountability and measurable progress. These are questions of research quality, not only fairness. 

“We look forward to working with signatories and partners across government, academia and industry to share good practice and drive lasting change for women in research." 

(Image: attendees at the British Science Festival 2024)