Findings from the research carried out for British Science Week (11-20 March 2022) reveal regional differences in young people's enthusiasm about science.

The survey, carried out in February 2022 and ahead of British Science Week, conducted polling on a representative sample of 2,000 UK 14-to-18-year-olds to find out their perspectives on science, scientists and the ongoing pandemic. We found:

• 51% 14-to-18-year-olds in London are more likely to consider working in a scientific field than before the pandemic. Only 37% and 38% of young people in the North East and South West of England say the same.
  
  
• Less than one fifth of young people in the North East (17%) and Yorkshire & the Humber (19%) say a career in science would be of interest to them whereas nearly 3 in 10 young Londoners (29%) would consider it interesting.

41% of UK 14-to-18-year-olds said they were more likely to consider working in a scientific field than before the start of the pandemic. However, there is a considerable difference between those polled within, and outside of, London. Where research and development is currently concentrated within the ‘golden triangle’ of London, Cambridge and Oxford (areas in the South East) – something the Government are aiming to address in their levelling up plans – these findings may be a cause for concern.

In the City of London, more than half of the young people polled (51%) said they were more likely to consider working in a scientific field than before the start of the pandemic. This is the local authority where, according to a new report titled Mapping and analysis of science engagement and inequity in the UK (by London Economics, commissioned by the BSA), the opportunity to engage with science is the highest in the country.

In the North East of England, on the other hand, less than 2 in 5 are more likely to consider a scientific career now than before the pandemic (37%), and less than 1 in 5 (17%) think a career in science would be of interest to them. County Durham, Gateshead and South Tyneside all rank particularly low on the ‘opportunity to engage with science’ index* despite being home to Durham University, Northumbria University, Newcastle University, the Centre For Life and facilities of science-based technology company 3M.

Similarly, in the South West of England, there are fewer young people who say they are likely to pursue science careers. However, the world-renowned Eden Project and Met Office are both located in the South West, each of which are leading organisations in their areas of ecological and meteorological research respectively.

*The ‘opportunity to engage with science’ index combines measures of science engagement including science education, presence of cultural centres (such as science museums), industry and institutions. However, this is only a measure of the facilities and potential interactions rather than actual engagement.

Just 19% of 14-to-18-year-olds in Yorkshire & the Humber say a career in science would be of interest to them compared to 29% in London. East Riding of Yorkshire, Doncaster and Wakefield are all areas which score low on the ‘opportunity to engage with science’ index, however, neighbouring York is in the top 10.

Additionally, more young Londoners seem able to relate to scientists than young people in the rest of the country. 17% of 14-to-18-year-olds in London can think of a scientist who looks like them yet only 5% of those in the North East and South West can. This may, in part, be down to there being more opportunities to be involved with science in and around London.

With fewer opportunities to experience science first-hand, young people who don’t live in urban areas with museums, large STEM employers, universities or other such institutions may not be able to fully explore science and see themselves being involved in it, whether through research, work or for leisure.

Each year the BSA run the Smashing Stereotypes campaign during British Science Week, it aims to address the lack of representation across science by profiling inspiring people who don’t conform to archetypal image of person in a lab, poring over a conical flask in a white coat. These people may have also undergone non-traditional journeys into their careers as scientists or not be considered ‘scientists’ in the conventional sense.

Smashing Stereotypes hopes to catalyse conversations towards a truly diverse and inclusive STEM community, demonstrating to the next generation that scientists are just like everyone else. Beyond the featured profiles, the campaign encourages people to also share their own #SmashingStereotypes stories on Twitter, Instagram and other social media channels by using the official hashtag.

Find out about Smashing Stereotypes on the British Science Week website

Charlotte Grinyer, Research Engineer at Thales based in London, and one of this year’s Smashing Stereotypes profiles says:

“I didn’t have many female role models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), which inspired me to be my own role model as well as one to others. I regularly take part in STEM outreach and engagement in a range of locations, and have a true passion for promoting women in STEM from all backgrounds.”

Jade Meer, Converting Lead Hand at 3M based in Warwickshire, and one of this year’s Smashing Stereotypes profiles says:

“I recently visited my old primary school in Warwickshire alongside my team at 3M, with the aim to counter misconceptions of who scientists and engineers are and what they do. It’s really important that we show the next generation of researchers, inventors and decision makers that it’s possible to be a scientist no matter who you are or where you’re from.

“I shared my own experiences of dyslexia, how it has developed my ability to think laterally and offer a slightly different perspective on things. It was a really positive interaction, where the children were really engaged and open-minded.”

Katherine Mathieson, Chief Executive of the BSA says:

“British Science Week is the UK’s largest grassroots celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. Being a key calendar date for schools and community groups alike, it provides an opening for scientists in institutions, industry and beyond to engage with the next generation.

“This findings from this survey are worrying and all the more reason to increase efforts to reach young people, particularly in areas where there are fewer opportunities to participate in science. The increasing interest in ‘real-life’ science over the past two years has created a generation who are considerably more aware of science and its implications on everyday life. The science industry could feed this curiosity by looking into ways they can interact with, and learn from, young people during British Science Week and throughout the year.

“We encourage science institutions and organisations, big or small, to get involved.”

‘Mapping and analysis of science engagement and inequity in the UK’ was published during British Science Week and looks at different measures or ‘indicators’ of science engagement in a given area – such as number of science museums/centres, STEM graduates and businesses – combining them into a ‘opportunity to engage with science index’ to showcase how likely it is that someone is able to interact with science in their local authority.

This is the first time these data have been compiled and analysed, painting an initial picture of the UK’s science engagement landscape. The research is not without its limitations, however, as it is unable to take into account who is engaging with science, the impact of population sizes within local authorities or movement of people between towns/cities.

To find out more about British Science Week, visit www.britishscienceweek.org

Find out more about ‘Mapping and analysis of science engagement and inequity in the UK’

Smashing Stereotypes is supported by 3M, Thales and MSD.

Notes to editors

For interviews, requests to see the full data set or other queries, please contact Louise Ogden, Head of Communications or Anissa Alifandi, Corporate Communications Manager.

The survey was carried out by OnePoll. A nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults and 2,000 14-to-18-year-olds across the UK were surveyed.

Tabulated data from graphs shown above:

	More likely to consider working in a scientific field than before the start of the pandemic	A career in science would be of interest to me
London	51%	29%
North East	37%	17%
South West	38%	24%
Yorkshire & the Humber	43%	19%
East Anglia	37%	30%
East Midlands	38%	24%
North West	38%	25%
Northern Ireland	45%	25%
Scotland	40%	28%
South East	36%	22%
Wales	39%	24%
West Midlands	42%	35%

Table 1. Survey results relating to young people’s aspirations in science.

	I can think of a scientist who looks like me
London	17%
North East	5%
South West	5%
Yorkshire & the Humber	8%
East Anglia	8%
East Midlands	8%
North West	6%
Northern Ireland	10%
Scotland	7%
South East	6%
Wales	8%
West Midlands	5%

Table 2. Young people’s views on how relatable scientists are.