Our charitable vision at the Ri is that science is for everyone.
Our purpose is to create opportunities for people and scientists to explore and enjoy their interest in science together; and to do that, inclusivity is vital. Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity or any other biological or chosen defining characteristic, the Ri is a home for science and everyone is welcome.
However, as with any organisation of any age, we know that has not always been the case. We know that the Ri’s establishment in 1799 is inextricably linked with Britain’s colonial history.
So while we celebrate our rich heritage of scientific advance and public engagement, we recognise our responsibility to examine and address elements in our historical past that are quite rightly considered abhorrent today. Racist attitudes prevalent in the nineteenth century and discredited theories such as eugenics have no place in modern science. They do not reflect the Ri’s values today, nor those of us who work here to make the Ri a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all.
As such, while we are not eligible for public funding into historical research, we are actively working to shed light on our heritage through proactive and transparent action, including active discussions with universities with whom we can fully explore our past through academic partnership, plans for permanent interpretation in our free museum to help ensure the full context is visible to all visitors, and continuing to open-up our archive for scrutiny by public and academic research audiences alike.
We are also working hard to make the Ri of today more diverse and accessible. So we are delighted that in recent years we have made much progress in representing the true diversity of all those who work in STEM. Through our Theatre talks, online through our social media and YouTube channel, and through our education programmes, we have been honoured to celebrate the contribution of those who have gone unrecognised in the past, and often remain so today. Even so, judging by the open racism and discrimination sometimes directed at our speakers online, which we find abhorrent, this has not been welcomed by all.
So there is much still to do and we know that improving how we champion diversity at the Ri is a work in progress. But it is important work. Because different voices and viewpoints strengthen science, and representation matters.
We can’t change our past, but those of us who work here know that it’s not representative of the Ri of today. So instead our goal must be to learn from it, to help ensure the Ri of today, and the Ri of the future, is an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone; a place where we can all can feel valued and safe when exploring science together.
And we urge everyone exploring our spaces – in-person and online – to treat their fellow explorers with warmth and respect.
If you would like to share your views on how we can improve our equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the Ri, please email edia@ri.ac.uk