ROYAL SOCIETY STUDIES ASIAN ROLE MODELS IN SCIENCE
(4 May 2004)

An investigation into how role models can be best used to persuade young people, particularly from ethnic minorities, to pursue careers in science was launched today (4 May 2004) by the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science. The study is supported by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), and funded by the Department for Education and Skills. It will include a national online survey, of scientists in the UK to find out what influenced their career choices. The study will also involve the first detailed analysis of the representation of ethnic groups at different levels of science, engineering and technology.

Announcing the launch of the study, Sir John Enderby, Vice-President of the Royal Society, said: " We all tend to accept that role models exert a powerful positive influence on school pupils, but there has not been any previous attempt to find out how important they are in science, engineering and technology. For instance, who is an appropriate role model for a 15 year-old trying to decide which A-level subjects to study?"

He added: " In particular, we are seeking to find out which ethnic groups are under-represented in science in the UK and whether this problem can be solved through identifying and promoting appropriate role models. We want to find out how many scientists and engineers from ethnic minorities there are, where they are located, and whether there is anything more they can do to help raise the aspirations of young people. "

The study is being supervised by a steering group chaired by Sir Magdi Yacoub, the distinguished heart surgeon based at the National Heart and Lung Institute in Harefield, Middlesex, and Fellow of the Royal Society. The study will result in a guide to best practice in promoting role models, to be published in autumn 2004. The national online survey is being conducted for the study by the Office for Public Management (OPM) and can be accessed at http://www.opm.co.uk/royalsociety.htm.

Sir John said: " We hope that as many scientists as possible, from whatever background, will find a few moments to complete the survey and inform the study. We really do want to learn just what impact role models have had on today's generation of scientists."

The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. The study is part of an ongoing programme of work by the Royal Society to explore diversity in science, and the barriers that exist to participation and achievement, particularly among ethnic minorities and women.

NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, the organization that invests in UK creativity and innovation. Set up by Act of Parliament in 1998, NESTA uses the interest on a National Lotter y endowment to pioneer ways of supporting and promoting innovation and creativity across science, technology, the arts and learning. For further details click on www.nesta.org.uk.