Royal Society aims to boost number of black scientists
Technology
Five scientists a year will get up to £690,000 spread over four years
(Web Desk) - Young black scientists will get sizeable grants towards cutting-edge research in a pilot scheme aimed at increasing their numbers in the field.
Five scientists a year will get up to £690,000 spread over four years.
The Royal Society, which represents the UK's leading researchers, hopes its grants increase low numbers of black scientists, particularly in research.
The fellowships should allow the recipients to work in any of the country's research institutes.
It will also mentor the scientists and help with career networking.
Royal Society President Prof Sir Adrian Smith told BBC News that the low numbers of black scientists in the UK was "unacceptable".
Dr Mark Richards, who is one of the UK's very few senior black scientists, and who helped the Royal Society develop the scheme, said that although the number of fellowships is small, it is hoped that they will make a big difference.
"It will be five researchers each year who will be supported to establish their own research teams. And so the hope is that this will make a sustainable difference over time because these people will become role models and advocates for better representation," he said.
Dr Yolanda Ohene, an early career black physicist at the University of Manchester, welcomed the initiative.
''It is encouraging to see that the Royal Society is committed to supporting early career researchers of Black heritage," she said in written comments. "The transition from completing a PhD to having a permanent position at a university is difficult for everyone but the odds are particularly stacked against researchers from Black backgrounds.''
Black scientists have told BBC News that they feel unsupported, overlooked for promotion, unfairly rejected for grant applications, and that they believe the UK research system is institutionally racist.
