Empowering voices: Advancing social mobility in the chemical sciences

Stephen is the programme manager for socioeconomic inclusion in the RSC Inclusion & Diversity team, working to develop a deeper understanding of the barriers and challenges experienced at all career stages for chemical scientists from low socioeconomic backgrounds. His work builds on previous RSC inclusion and diversity initiatives, acknowledging the importance of intersectionality in understanding the simultaneous forms of discrimination, disadvantage, and privilege that a marginalised or underrepresented individual may experience. This perspective informs and recommends support mechanisms available from the RSC and Chemists’ Community Fund to enhance inclusive access and progression for all within the chemical sciences.

Louise holds the Karl Mannheim chair in sociology of education at University College London, UK. Her research seeks to understand educational identities and inequalities, particularly in relation to social class, gender and race/ethnicity across primary, secondary, higher and informal learning contexts. She has authored over 100 academic publications and has directed numerous large-scale national and international research studies, including the 14-year, ESRC-funded ASPIRES study, a mixed methods research project examining what shapes the trajectories of young people from age 10-22. Louise is particularly interested in participatory approaches, working with teachers, professionals and young people in ways that can support more equitable educational policies and practices. The impact of her research on supporting diversity and inclusion in Stem has been recognised through prizes from the Royal Society, ESRC and British Educational Research Association.

Saleha is an experienced leader in drug discovery having worked across the pipeline from target innovation and into the clinic. She has a strong track record creating value through innovative science and is committed to fostering scientific development through community collaboration and mentorship. Saleha studied for an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and an MSc in bioscience technology at the University of York, UK. She has a PhD from the University of Leicester, UK and moved to AstraZeneca in 2017, starting on the lab bench before moving into her current role within the indication discovery team in emerging innovations. Saleha is passionate about talent development, mentoring young scientists and broadening opportunities for under-represented groups, specifically supporting individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds looking to enter careers in Stem. Her work in this area has been enabled through charities including the Social Mobility Foundation and The Sutton Trust.