Ethnic diversity in UK bioscience: Structural biases and recommendations for action
Yusra Siddiqui1,2, Prachi Stafford3, Emmanuel Adukwu4
1Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|December 31, 2025
Summary
Ethnic diversity in UK biosciences is low, especially in senior roles and certain subdisciplines like zoology. Addressing underrepresentation of Global Majority communities is crucial for scientific advancement.
Area of Science:
- * Biosciences
- * UK Higher Education Statistics Authority data
Background:
- * Scientific innovation thrives on diverse perspectives.
- * Global Majority communities are underrepresented in science, particularly in leadership.
- * Current scientific community demographics do not mirror wider society.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To explore ethnic diversity within UK academic biosciences.
- * To identify predictors of ethnic diversity in students and staff.
- * To provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing diversity.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized publicly available demographic data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Authority.
- * Employed the Simpson index to quantify diversity within biosciences.
- * Constructed linear mixed-effect models to analyze diversity predictors.
Main Results:
- * Teaching-only roles and higher-paid/senior staff positions showed negative effects on diversity.
- * Part-time and postgraduate research students, especially PhD candidates, exhibited lower diversity.
- * Significant variations in diversity were observed across bioscience subdisciplines, with biomedical sciences being more diverse than zoology, plant science, and ecology.
Conclusions:
- * Ethnic diversity in UK biosciences is influenced by roles, pay, student status, and subdiscipline.
- * A correlation exists between subdiscipline diversity and institutional diversity.
- * Decisive action is needed at multiple levels to enhance diversity and benefit UK bioscience.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
7.6K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
7.6K
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
94.8K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
94.8K
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
208
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
208
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
1.3K
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
1.3K
01:22Bias
7.2K
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
7.2K
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.2K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.2K