Chemistry: it’s a man’s world and that needs to change, reveals RSC findings
19 Nov 2018
The Royal Society of Chemistry has launched a campaign to combat bullying and prejudice after its new report revealed a slew of complaints from women members about their treatment in academia.
Its survey of nearly 2,000 respondents contained no specific questions about bullying in the workplace, yet nearly all the women who answered cited this and said they had either witnessed or experienced bad treatment.
Said the RSC: “As well as issues with gender discrimination, our report uncovered evidence of racial discrimination, harassment and bullying.
"As we call for a significant culture shift in UK universities, we will be launching a support line for those affected by bullying and harassment, in summer 2019.”
The UK faces a particular challenge in recruiting females, with men comprising more than 90% of chemistry professors.
As we call for a significant culture shift in UK universities, we will be launching a support line for those affected by bullying
The Royal Society of Chemistry
The report calls for initiatives designed to tackle workplace culture but also to overcome practical barriers to entering and then remaining in the profession.
“We will also launch a new carers’ grant of up to £1,000 per individual case – to better enable women and men who have children or other caring responsibilities to attend conferences and events vital to their research – after work/family balance was identified as a problem that disproportionately affects women in the chemical sciences,” said a spokesperson.
To read the report and conclusions click here; for RSC video coverage see below.
