Last year, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) commissioned us to carry out an independent exploration of its portfolio of research grants, which we conducted in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute. Our
final report has now been published and is available to read.
Undertaken as part of the EPSRC’s
equality, diversity and inclusion action plan, the research drew on RSS member expertise and involved a structured analysis of disparities in the awarding of grants and fellowships, explored in terms of various protected characteristics, as well as research area, institution and region.
Some of the key findings include:
- We found evidence that ethnic minority researchers are less likely to be funded and, when successful, apply for less funding than white researchers
- Female applicants are more likely to be successful in funding applications than male applicants, particularly for fellowships. However, successful male applicants apply for more
- We found evidence of modest but significant effects of reviewer and applicant ethnicity on reviewer scores, with white applicants and reviewers giving and receiving higher scores, respectively, compared to ethnic minority applicants and reviewers.
- The make-up of funding panels matters. Female applicants were ranked more favourably than male applicants when at least one of the panellists was female, but less favourably than male applicants when this was not the case.
Dr Sarah Cumbers, RSS CEO said: ‘This work represents a significant step forward for transparency in the funding process of scientific bodies, with the EPSRC being the first organisation of its kind to openly share its data with an external body for independent review.
‘With the evidence from this data-driven approach, the EPSRC now better understand the barriers some groups face in obtaining funding. We hope that other funding bodies will use these findings to better tailor policies around equality, diversity and inclusion and ensure that our research landscape is diverse in its opinions, ideas and solutions.’
Professor Charlotte Deane, EPSRC Executive Chair said: ‘By bringing new approaches and solutions we can help fulfil the potential of research and innovation in improving people’s lives. The findings of this report present us with valuable new insights to explore future actions to add to the initiatives we are already undertaking as part of our EDI Action Plan.
‘We welcome ideas and suggestions from within our communities to help us embed inclusive practices and increase diversity across our portfolio. Only together, can we create a more inclusive and innovative research environment.”
Read the executive summary.
Read the full report.