Diversity and Inclusion

The Royal Society has formulated a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy. Our five strategic priorities are  

1. Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are at the centre of the Society’s activities 
2. Encouraging more applications to the Society’s grant schemes from outstanding researchers from underrepresented groups
3. Supporting the pipeline of young people from minority groups into STEM careers 
4. Breaking down the barriers to progression in STEM for researchers from underrepresented groups 
5. Recognising the achievements of researchers from minority groups

It is these five key pillars the help to shape and guide the initiatives we work on.  

A diverse and inclusive employer 

Whilst we run numerous external projects that work to create opportunities and provide resources to disadvantaged groups, it is important that all staff here at the Society feel recognised, welcomed and understood too. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace culture that champions diversity at every level. 

To promote inclusivity, we: 

• are a member of the Business Disability Forum  
• possess several staff-led networks, including the Pride (LGBTQ+) network, REACH (Race Equality and Cultural Heritage) Network and Disability and Neurodiversity Network, to continue to bolster a sense of belonging amongst employees  
• celebrate cultural days and anniversaries that represent the wide range of people working at the Society 
• are a Disability Confident employer  
• run training courses to bolster the knowledge of staff on D&I issues 
• signpost internal policies on equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, reasonable adjustments and bullying/ harassment 
• provide access to a prayer room and quiet room  
• advertise the Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health for staff to access at any time  
• have several Mental Health First Aid accredited staff, for employees to speak to  
• advocate for flexible working, with core hours between 10am and 4pm  

A diverse and inclusive Fellowship  

We are a self-governing Fellowship made up of some of the most distinguished scientists, engineers and technologists in the world. Fellows are elected for life through a rigorous peer review process, seeking out exceptional achievements in science. All categories of Fellow have equal rights within the Society and are encouraged to engage fully in its activities. 

The effectiveness of the Society depends on having, and drawing upon the expertise of, a diverse Fellowship. Although this diversity has historically been limited, the Society has implemented many changes to build a Fellowship that is more representative of scientific excellence in all its forms. This has included amending election processes to ensure they are supportive of diversity, encouraging the nomination of diverse candidates by the Fellowship and the creation of dedicated search panels. The proportion of women elected to the Fellowship annually has now increased to 26% from 2016 to 2025 (with a corresponding gradual increase to the proportion of women in the Fellowship, which currently stands at 15%) and Fellows, based in over 35 countries around the world, cover a wide range of scientific disciplines.  

Advancing the representation of exceptional scientists from all backgrounds and working in all scientific contexts continues to be a priority for the Society. More information about the diversity of our Fellowship can be found in our annual Diversity Data Report.  

A diverse and inclusive funder  

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to equity, opportunity, and impact, meaning the Society’s grant funding approach is continuously evolving to ensure it’s inclusive at every stage—from promotion and application to award decisions and post-award support. 

Development of new strategies means an increase in applications from underrepresented groups, with regular review of promotional materials and processes to ensure every applicant has a fair and equal chance to thrive. 

Every panel member receives dedicated training on unconscious bias in decision-making. This is a vital step in safeguarding fairness and ensuring that funding decisions are made with integrity and awareness. 

Applications from underrepresented communities are strongly recommended - your voice, your research, and your perspective matter. 

As part of the drive to reshape the research landscape, an exciting fellowship programme tailored for researchers from underrepresented backgrounds has been launched. The call focusses on researchers with Black heritage, offering targeted support to help unlock potential and accelerate careers. Find out more about the Career Development Fellowships.