Encouraging and embracing black diversity in industry

The start of 2020 not only saw a world gripped by COVID-19, but also the tragic deaths George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, amongst others. Their emphasized continued underlying systemic racism routinely experienced people black heritage worldwide. Often these disparities can be hidden/covert it is clear that students face significant disadvantages when comes to achievement at university, including differential degree awarding outcomes poorer employment prospects (see further reading).Consequently, we Kingston University took action tackle injustices, barriers unconscious biases with initiative-taking steps enhance student experience unlock talent our bioscience students. During academic year, 2021–2022, ran year-long dedicated programme in collaboration GSK’s EMBRACE (Employee Resource Group focussed on Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic diversity). designed support embrace diversity industry was funded one Biochemical Society’s Diversity Science grants.We worked together between higher education, industrial partners, alumni, enabling us develop more meaningful wider engagement informed lived experiences employers. In strategy, grasped importance seeing themselves belonging reflected within curriculum their talents demonstrated scientific community. We felt this especially important as many reported feeling excluded, being unclear where job applications, or lacking soft skills, confidence, commercial awareness professional networks crucial future employability. Within discipline areas life sciences, chemistry pharmacy partnering GSK, developed delivered employability package encourage engage careers pharmaceutical industry. This supported tangible towards racial equality tackling ‘Black Lives Matter’ head-on – recognizing creating equal opportunities access for all.The enabled an immersive employer experience, learnt about multifaceted roles available whilst considering how works through direct role models all stages process. first stage December 2021 introduction business GSK wide variety career options available, overview recruitment process works, along tailored advice. second (January 2022) interactive workshop exploring motivations, enterprising growth mind-sets values. Here, were joined eight storytelling employees from representing various (from apprenticeships senior scientists). final (February ‘Discover Industry’ hackathon, alongside enterprise skills/attributes working real-world challenges.Our approach afforded linked community provided first-hand interaction employers help navigate has ‘tasters’ what like work business, insights into actions required developing appropriate skills vital networking models. advantageous getting any growing employer, whose time seem premium seemingly unobtainable students.The impact been phenomenal: inclusive reached over 250 year delivery total population just 600 school first-year undergraduate postgraduate). Students came range courses, surveyed attendees stated either ‘exceeded/met completely’ (100%) expectations.‘I want take opportunity let you know workshops beyond my expectations testimonies outstanding. I really enjoyed sessions.’‘I wondering if there way could contact [the employees] conversation topic. share similar concerns challenges backgrounds, hoping reach out some advice new international student.’‘The Discover Industry event helped me understand different graduate scientist great networking!’; ‘It so good meet GSK.’‘I liked they give “taste” workplaces are like.’This partnership aware university set directly prepare diverse workplaces, turning force maximizing position land creative industry.‘Bringing backgrounds perspectives leads innovation creativity which critical medicines. However, sources always obvious accessible employees. It privilege partner provide Black constructive way. Enduring built benefiting alike’ Jacqui Piner (retired Scientific Director Fellow).Kingston would thank Society generous programme. project subsequently recognized finalist highly commended award National Enterprise Educator Awards 2022 category ‘Inclusive Education’ Pearson’s HE Innovate 2022. Special thanks go (GSK), who tirelessly ambassador programme.This Grants. Find grants projects have here: https://www.biochemistry.org/grants-and-awards/grants-and-bursaries/diversity-in-science-grants/.Nigel Page Learning Teaching School Life Sciences, Pharmacy Chemistry London, he teaches biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics. He passionate ensuring equitable practices promoting employability, enterprise, development performs institutional research his biosciences. Email: [email protected].