Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is integral to the British Science Association’s mission (which is: is to transform the diversity and inclusivity of science; to reach under-served audiences; and increase the number of people who are actively engaged and involved in science.) We want to make science more accessible to everyone, regardless of background, and provide innovative activities which give people the opportunity to engage with science as a cultural activity. We also want people of all backgrounds and beliefs to be able to challenge, shape and debate the impact of scientific and technological developments. We must therefore ensure that all staff, volunteers and audience members feel equally able to work and engage with us. We define diversity broadly, including the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Our definition also includes education, experience, geography, and socioeconomic status. Our staff and volunteers The British Science Association strives to be a fair employer, offering employment and volunteering opportunities to a range of people. We believe that having staff and volunteers at all levels from a wide range of backgrounds and skills will help produce ideas and solutions that may not come from a smaller range of groups. A diverse workforce and volunteer pool can also help us better understand and meet the needs of diverse audience groups, and thus create events and programmes that raise the diversity of our audiences. We endeavour to provide equality and fairness for all our staff and volunteers and to create a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for all, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff and volunteers are recognised and valued. We regularly monitor the make-up and satisfaction of our staff and volunteers and will make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. Our programmes The British Science Association aims for our programmes to be inclusive and to reach diverse audiences. Below are some examples. The British Science Week Community Grants and British Science Festival Community Grants schemes engage audiences that are underrepresented in science by empowering and supporting community groups to run their own science activities. Speakers and participants in the Huxley Summit include leaders from business, the arts, and science that are also diverse in terms of race and gender. Year after year, we see an even gender split on the numbers of students completing CREST Awards. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM will push for progress with Parliamentarians. Our programmes are designed to be as inclusive as possible and are held in accessible venues. EDI is a long-term commitment and aspiration for the BSA. We recognise that the goals will change over time, as the world changes and as we learn more. We therefore aspire to continually improve our understanding and our practice, to learn from our own experiences and others’ experiences, and to remain open to feedback and advice. We recently received a Sustaining Excellence grant from the Wellcome Trust to accelerate our progress in improving our diversity and inclusion. Our Chief Executive, Katherine Mathieson, outlines the BSA's journey so far in this blog. For more information, please contact Katherine on: [email protected]