Research funding is harmful to science – time for change | Jenny Rohn

Researchers seeking science funding can be big losers in the equality and diversity game: will a fresh ethos change this?

Yesterday's launch of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health Research (EDIS) network is a step in the right direction. Arbitrary barriers that prevent talented people from entering or thriving in the scientific profession - such as gender, race, orientation, disability and socio-economic status - are clearly counter-productive as well as unjust.

We are all familiar with the arguments for the positive effects of diversity in STEM. In the UK, the Athena SWAN initiative has gone a long way towards institutionalising a positive approach to leveling the playing field for women in academic institutions, for example.