Challenging different forms of bias in physical science and engineering research

在工程和物理科学领域实现包容性学术人口的关键挑战之一是解决女性、BAME和残疾人在开始和发展学术研究职业生涯时面临的困难，这是由于他们的身份和个人历史导致的，在这个仍然以白人为主的男性环境中。存在这类挑战的证据包括对REF2014年选拔率的分析，在B小组中，76%的合格男子被选中，而合格妇女中有72%的人在BAME工作人员和残疾工作人员中存在类似的偏见。坊间传闻，这也可以在赠款申请和捕获的级别上看到。其结果是，这些学者在晋升和职业发展方面将面临更大的困难。最近的证据表明，职业发展对残疾女工程师来说是一个特别的问题。(http://www.ref.ac.uk/2014/equality/edapreport/，https://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/asset-2016-by-discipline/)In这个项目，我们试图了解学术界面临的各种偏见，追踪其原因，并提出旨在解决根本问题的创新干预措施。我们认为一个多方面的方法是必要的，因为解决这些问题不太可能只有一个“灵丹妙药”。我们的方法是结合对学术价值判断的严格研究，基于现有数据和新颖的实验，并在物理科学和工程的背景下，针对不同形式的偏见及其影响进行干预试验。我们将不断监测和审查这些活动的结果，以确保在整个过程中吸取教训。这项以EPS为重点的研究成果将从EPSRC资助的项目扩大到大学层面，并通过我们的财团以及更广泛的传播和培训活动推广。为了实现这些目标，我们组建了一个由两所大学(伯明翰大学和阿伯里斯特威斯大学)组成的联盟；一个大型NHS医院信托基金(伯明翰大学医院，UHB)和一家专门从事研究职业发展的咨询公司(VITAE)。

One of the key challenges in achieving an inclusive academic population in engineering and physical sciences is to address the difficulties faced by female, BAME and disabled people in starting and progressing in an academic research career, as a consequence of their identity and personal history in what remains a predominantly white, male environment. Evidence that such challenges exist include the analysis of selection rates for REF2014, where in Panel B, 76% of eligible men were selected, as opposed to 72% of eligible women Similar biases exist with BAME staff and disabled staff. Anecdotally, this can also be seen in levels of grant application and capture. The consequence is that these academics will face increased difficulties when it comes to promotion and career progression. Recent evidence shows that career development is a particular issue for female engineers with disabilities. (http://www.ref.ac.uk/2014/equality/edapreport/ , https://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/asset-2016-by-discipline/)In this project, we seek to understand the kinds of bias that academics face; trace their causes; and propose innovative interventions aimed at tackling the underlying issues. We believe a multi-faceted approach is necessary, as it is unlikely that a single "magic bullet" exists to solve these problems.Our approach is to combine rigorous research into academic value judgements, based on existing data and novel experiments, with the trialling of interventions aimed at different forms of bias and their effects, within the context of physical science and engineering. We will continuously monitor and review the results of these activities, to ensure lessons are learned throughout the process. The results from this EPS-focused study will be scaled up beyond the EPSRC funded project to University level, and rolled out via our consortium and through broader dissemination and training activities. To achieve these aims, we have put together a consortium comprising two universities (Birmingham and Aberystwyth); a large NHS hospital trust (University Hospitals Birmingham, UHB) and a consultancy firm specialising in research career development (Vitae).