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Royce and In2ScienceUK join forces to promote social mobility and diversity in STEM

The Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials has entered into a collaboration with In2scienceUK, in support of its new programme In2research, that will place talented people from disadvantaged backgrounds on the path to research careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), by offering stipends for work experience in research at leading universities.

The collaboration will see a number of individuals who are taking part in the In2research programme, also receiving a place on Royce’s existing established Internship Scheme. The scheme, now in its third year, supports materials science researchers across UK universities, to host undergraduate students on paid summer internships.

Royce funding allows researchers to employ students on 8-10 week projects. These projects offer a chance for researchers working in academia to mentor a young scientist, share insights into what research life entails, and build connections to upcoming talent. For the students the internship opens the door on a future research career, helps them to network beyond their immediate course and lecturers, and get involved in real-world scientific research.

The collaboration will bring together Royce’s strengths across the UK in materials science, with In2science’s work on tackling inequality and underrepresentation across science. Importantly it supports Royce’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) ambition, linking In2science with leading researchers in materials science to support more people from under-represented backgrounds to gain research placements in the discipline.

About In2Science

In2scienceUK exists to unlock the potential of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and boost diversity and inclusion in the sector to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of STEM-based industries. With salaries in STEM being 20% higher than other sectors, this helps young people progress to better-paid jobs and economic stability.

Founded in collaboration with the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, the In2research, programme has been established to directly address the long-running problem of the underrepresentation of people from disadvantaged backgrounds in academia, medicine, and science. Just 10% of life science professionals, 15% of academics and 6% of doctors come from working class backgrounds.

There are a variety of factors that can lead to underrepresentation, including the non-standardised and often unclear application processes at PhD level, as well as a lack of access to the social networks that help people navigate the complex route into academia. Meanwhile, applicants for research positions also need previous research experience, which is hard to find and tends to be unpaid. Therefore, in addition to providing 8-week paid placement opportunities, the In2research programme offers participants:

  • Mentorship from top research professionals matched with participants based on specific STEM interests
  • Away days aimed at exploring career pathways, boosting confidence, and practising networking skills
  • Workshops covering key research and application skills

Each mentor and placement host will gain high quality training, delivered in collaboration with Leading Routes and UPSIGN – two community organisations that work with black and Pakistani students respectively to ensure that they too have the tools needed to receive a positive and nurturing experience.

Dr Rebecca McKelvey, Founder of In2scienceUK, said:

“People who hold postgraduate qualifications, particularly those with PhDs, are the experts of our society. They are often involved in policy making and policy implementation at the highest level. Those policies shape everything, from our health and welfare to our data and the technology we use. It is the people entering postgraduate research today that will solve the future’s greatest problems. Underrepresentation in these fields will produce poorer outcomes for those underrepresented groups and that is what we have set out to tackle with this programme. 

 “In2research will support people who are smart, interested and passionate to progress to research careers and help us shape a more equal future in the health, technology, engineering, and maths of our society. We hope this will inspire more organisations across industry and education to help us make a real difference in people’s lives while boosting the UK’s talent pool of future innovators.”

Royce Training and Skills Manager, Tom Hancocks added:

“Connecting with In2research is a great next step for Royce as we scale up our internship scheme. Materials lie at the heart of UK science, engineering, and innovation and have played a massive part in many developments since the industrial revolution; this collaboration will help us to increase understanding about what a career in materials science might entail.

“We also want to champion young talent, whoever they are, and recognise that projects like this are necessary, and can do so much to boost careers. Bright young people from lower-income backgrounds should be able to achieve their potential and access the same opportunities as everyone else; but we know that so many do not progress to university or miss out of exciting STEM careers. We’re delighted to support and collaborate with In2research and help boost the future careers of the students that In2science already work with.”