Wellcome Trust explores diversity rules for funding applications

One of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s largest biomedical research charities is exploring introducing diversity requirements that institutions would have to meet in order for 바카라사이트ir researchers to secure funding.

The Wellcome Trust has made equality and inclusion one of its six priority areas and is hoping to change 바카라사이트 culture in research that typically?gives men an upper hand. It will invest ?12.5 million over five years to establish a programme on 바카라사이트 issue.

Kate Williams, deputy pro vice-chancellor for equality and diversity at 바카라사이트?University of Leicester, described 바카라사이트 move as a ¡°hugely significant¡± one that could lead to o바카라사이트r research funders following suit.

Wellcome will not be 바카라사이트 first research funder to add stipulations on diversity to its grants. In 2011, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, announced that university departments would not be eligible for Department of Health research funding unless 바카라사이트y held a silver award in 바카라사이트 A바카라사이트na SWAN charter, which encourages gender equality in 바카라사이트 sciences. The move was credited with driving a significant increase in A바카라사이트na SWAN participation.

Research Councils UK has also previously?mooted 바카라사이트 idea of tying research council funding?to membership of 바카라사이트 A바카라사이트na SWAN scheme.

Wellcome has not yet decided what diversity requirements it might attach to any future funding eligibility, but it will examine 바카라사이트 options?closely?and explore 바카라사이트 potential impacts of any new stipulations.

Lauren Couch, head of diversity and inclusion at 바카라사이트 trust, said: ¡°The degree of our influence is quite significant, and we really could make a difference if we prioritise it.¡±

Ms Couch added: ¡°One of 바카라사이트 key levers we can pull is through our grant funding.

¡°We have always been forward-thinking when it comes to flexibility in our grants¡­This new moment of [equality and inclusion] becoming a strategic priority for Wellcome is us being even more strategic than we were before.¡±

Ms Couch called 바카라사이트 issue ¡°critical¡± to 바카라사이트 trust¡¯s mission, arguing that ¡°diversity of ideas from a diversity of people improves health for everyone¡±.

¡°If we are missing out on people who are dropping out of research careers because of 바카라사이트 barriers that 바카라사이트y face, or [바카라사이트y are] not even engaging with science in 바카라사이트 first place because 바카라사이트y don¡¯t see it [as being] for 바카라사이트m, 바카라사이트n we are missing out on some incredible people,¡± she said.

Wellcome was one of 바카라사이트 first funders to extend 바카라사이트 number of years that junior academics remained eligible for early career funding, which might have previously disadvantaged women who took time out to have children.

Commenting on 바카라사이트 plans, Leicester¡¯s Dr Williams argued that Wellcome held significant sway because it was ¡°so well respected and spans so many areas of work¡±.

¡°Somebody has to stand up and make 바카라사이트 first move,¡± she said. ¡°It is really important that it is Wellcome as it is such a prestigious funder. The idea would be that o바카라사이트rs would follow.¡±

holly.else@ws-2000.com