Mental health problems are more prevalent today than ever before. According to the charity Mind, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem this year. While mental health is far more visible in today’s society, individuals who are open about their struggles can still face stigma. Science is a highly competitive and…

The implications of scientific papers and findings transcend geographical borders. Scientific discoveries can have benefits or repercussions for all of humanity and the planet. Similarly, science requires international collaboration. Scientists will travel far and wide throughout their career, from international conferences to remote field sites, irrespective of national borders. Where one lab is lacking equipment,…

The internet has transformed the field of public engagement with science in the last two decades, but there are still barriers which make it hard for publics to find good scientific information, or to engage with researchers. For anyone with an interest in science who isn’t already affiliated with a university or with research in…

When you picture a scientist, what do you think of? Most of us probably picture a middle-aged white male with slightly crazy hair in a lab coat and goggles. This assumption creates barriers to those who don’t conform to this description. Firstly, we might not perceive ourselves to be ‘like a scientist’ and so be…

English is considered the ‘international language of science’. For those who are not native English speakers, reading and writing scientific papers can be a significant challenge. Many papers that are published in non-English languages are overlooked, leading to breakthroughs being missed or research being carried out unnecessarily. Science also has a language of its own,…

In today’s budget-constrained landscape, scientists are under enormous pressure to achieve results. Permanent jobs in academia are extremely rare. In fact, many PhD students and postdocs are forced to look elsewhere for employment, despite years of research. For those that do remain within the field, this extreme pressure creates a fierce culture of competition amongst…

There is copious evidence that science suffers from a gender bias which plays out in academic hiring, promotions, teaching evaluations, awards, and publishing. Science is no exception to the hiring bias against women that is found in many industries. This bias is even more pronounced against mothers or women who might have children. For those…

Educational inequality is a global issue. A child’s socioeconomic background is still a critical factor in his or her ability to access high-quality education, attend university, and get a job afterwards. In the UK, educational inequality is so rampant that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed that the poorest children in the UK…

People with both visible and invisible disabilities face several issues when accessing science. For those with reduced mobility, everything from lecture theatres to laboratories can be difficult to access. Particularly for those in a wheelchair, corridors may not be wide enough, lab benches and sinks may be too high and equipment may be out of…

A paywall prevents access to online content without either a one-off payment or a paid subscription. Many scientific articles and journals are hidden from public view behind a paywall, with only short previews accessible without payment. Many high-impact papers and important journals are published by companies like Elsevier and Wiley that charge for online access,…