UK government’s new charter aims to better support women in research

By Mason Wakley2026-07-02T14:32:00

A female scientist using a pipette at a laboratory workbench. She is wearing a lab coat, safety goggles and latex gloves. Behind her other scientists are working at a centrifuge

Source: © Sturti/Getty Images

‘Now is the time for research institutions to step up and level the playing field for women,’ notes one government official

The UK government has unveiled a voluntary charter that aims to better support women in research by ensuring paid family leave, flexible working and tougher action on workplace harassment, for example. Liz Kendall – the UK’s science and technology secretary – is urging research organisations to sign the charter to ensure ‘that women can thrive at every stage of a research career.’ Over 60 universities and institutes have currently done so, including the Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Royal Society.