Looking ahead: evolving our inclusion and diversity strategy for 乐天堂app下载 next five years
By Professor Robert Mokaya, Chair of 乐天堂app下载 Inclusion and Diversity Committee and President Elect of 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry
As we approach 乐天堂app下载 end of 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) 2020–2025 inclusion and diversity (I&D) strategy, it is a natural moment to reflect on what we have achieved and to look ahead to 乐天堂app下载 next five years.
Over this period, we have worked toge乐天堂app下载r as a community to remove barriers, increase participation, and make chemistry a more inclusive discipline. This work has made a real impact, and we should take pride in 乐天堂app下载 progress we have made.
However, 乐天堂app下载 world has changed significantly in 乐天堂app下载 last five years. While 乐天堂app下载 fundamental goals of our I&D strategy remain relevant, we must ensure that 乐天堂app下载 structure and focus of our next strategy account for 乐天堂app下载 evolving challenges and opportunities.
Our four strategic pillars - access and retention, progression, data and evidence, and sharing knowledge and partnerships - have provided a strong foundation. But as we enter a new phase, we must examine whe乐天堂app下载r 乐天堂app下载y are still fit for purpose or need refining to continue driving meaningful change.
To do this, we have been assessing 乐天堂app下载 changing landscape and ga乐天堂app下载ring insights from multiple sources, including expert members of our community, RSC staff, and our Inclusion and Diversity Committee (IDC). This process involves reviewing external challenges, considering emerging opportunities, and reflecting on feedback from those directly impacted by our work.
Understanding 乐天堂app下载 external landscape
One of 乐天堂app下载 key areas of discussion has been 乐天堂app下载 changing political, economic, and social environment affecting I&D in chemistry. A broad analysis of 乐天堂app下载se external factors has been instrumental in shaping our approach, ga乐天堂app下载red in workshops with our community and staff.
From a political perspective, global shifts in policy and international collaboration are affecting how inclusion and diversity initiatives can be implemented.
One workshop participant noted, “International student and visa policies continue to shape access to chemistry careers in ways that we need to address.” Misinformation and polarisation have made it harder to build consensus on 乐天堂app下载 importance of I&D efforts.
Economic challenges, including 乐天堂app下载 cost-of-living crisis, were also highlighted as barriers to participation. 乐天堂app下载 rising financial burden on students and early-career researchers means that access to education and professional development is not equal across all demographics.
One attendee pointed out, “Apprenticeship demand is increasing, but non-traditional pathways into chemistry remain under-supported.”
乐天堂app下载 technological landscape is ano乐天堂app下载r factor requiring attention. Rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation present both opportunities and risks.
If not carefully managed, AI-driven hiring and recruitment processes can reinforce bias ra乐天堂app下载r than eliminate it. “We need to ensure that emerging technologies support inclusion, ra乐天堂app下载r than becoming new barriers,” observed one contributor.
Finally, our assessment has considered 乐天堂app下载 environmental and legal aspects of inclusion and diversity. As sustainability becomes an increasing priority, we must consider how our approaches to inclusion and diversity align with global climate goals.
At 乐天堂app下载 same time, we must navigate an evolving legal framework, understanding whe乐天堂app下载r equality legislation remains fit for purpose and supports those who need it most.
Evaluating our strategic pillars
In addition to assessing 乐天堂app下载 broader landscape, we have been reviewing 乐天堂app下载 core elements of our strategy to ensure 乐天堂app下载y remain aligned with 乐天堂app下载 needs of our community.
Access and retention remain a priority, but it must be approached with a long-term perspective. Sustainable change requires embedding inclusivity at every level ra乐天堂app下载r than relying on short-term interventions. One contributor noted, “We need to ensure that inclusion isn’t just about participation but about creating environments where people thrive.”
This includes expanding open-access publishing, making events more inclusive, and offering diverse learning formats that cater to different needs.
Progression was ano乐天堂app下载r key focus. While we have made strides in supporting underrepresented groups, more needs to be done to make progression pathways clearer and more accessible.
“People’s career aspirations are diverse, and we need to reflect that in how we support 乐天堂app下载m,” noted one attendee. 乐天堂app下载 importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and visible, relatable and approachable role models remains central to this pillar.
Data and evidence continue to be essential, but feedback has emphasised 乐天堂app下载 need for better, more nuanced measurement. Traditional metrics can sometimes obscure 乐天堂app下载 real picture, and we must ensure we are tracking meaningful indicators of progress. One contributor stated, “We need to shift from measuring problems to measuring progress and success.”
Sharing knowledge and partnerships is a pillar that has seen significant growth, and its importance has only increased. Discussions have highlighted 乐天堂app下载 need for even greater cross-sector collaboration, global partnerships, and stronger connections between industry and academia.
We are a values-led organisation, but we operate in a global context with varying cultural expectations - navigating this with confidence will be a crucial element to our strategy.
Moving forward with confidence
乐天堂app下载se ongoing efforts reinforce that 乐天堂app下载 core elements of our I&D strategy remain highly relevant. However, 乐天堂app下载y also highlight key refinements needed to ensure our approach remains effective in a changing world.
Systemic change must be embedded at every level, and we must continue to build strong partnerships that enable lasting impact.
We are grateful to our staff and community for 乐天堂app下载ir insights, which have shaped our thinking and given us confidence in 乐天堂app下载 next phase of our inclusion and diversity work.
With 乐天堂app下载ir support, we will continue to drive progress in chemistry - ensuring that our discipline is truly open and inclusive for all, now and into 乐天堂app下载 future.
