IGNITE Network+: Innovation and Growth Needs Inclusion and engagement of all Talent in Energy research

Lead Research Organisation: University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

The IGNITE Network+ aims to support sustainable, abundant, clean and equitable energy for all, by harnessing the talents of energy researchers from all backgrounds. The current lack of diversity in energy researchers stems not from a lack of interest, talent or ambition in underrepresented individuals, but from systemic inequalities in UK systems and institutions. The IGNITE Network+ will address diversity issues by: collecting data that can expose systemic inequality; designing, testing and implementing disruptive initiatives; monitoring the success of interventions and activities; identifying, disseminating and encouraging good practice. In parallel, we will work to support individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds through a mixture of organisational interventions, mentorship, advice and advocacy.

To achieve the changes to energy systems needed to meet net-zero carbon by 2050 requires innovation, and its translation into industry, at pace. Increased diversity in energy researchers will significantly improve our chances of success. Research has shown that diversity in the workforce, if managed effectively, increases innovation, brings greater scientific impact and improves economic growth. Despite an increasing societal awareness of the value of equality and diversity, a decade of diversity initiatives has had little effect. UK engineering, in particular, has some of the poorest diversity statistics in Europe: 8% of professional engineers are female and 6% are black and minority ethnic (BAME), this compares to UK population statistics of 51% and 14% respectively. Reliable data on other forms of diversity such as disability and sexual orientation in engineering are unavailable.

Diversity initiatives generally focus on two areas: diversifying the pipeline of applicants from schools and higher education, and, once within the profession, training/mentoring the underrepresented workforce to reach leadership positions. These initiatives are based on the assumption that young people from diverse backgrounds are not attracted to degrees in engineering and physical science subjects, and that once they enter the profession, they require support in order to 'stick at it' and succeed. In other words, implying that the problem lies with the individuals themselves. Evidence shows that this is not the case. In many other countries women make up 40% of engineering graduates and research shows that underrepresented workers perform very well, without the need to additional support, if the workplace is inclusive.

The IGNITE Network+ aims to increase diversity in the energy sector by critically evaluating the systemic inequalities in policy and practice that prevent researchers from underrepresented backgrounds progressing through stages in their career pathway. We will: identify and challenge inequities in the standard research metrics used to assess researcher performance, disseminate our findings widely to universities, funding bodies, professional institutions and the energy industry; survey information on, and exchange best practice in, equality, diversity and inclusion with all partners; and pilot and encourage uptake of mechanisms to support diverse individuals within energy research through a mixture of mentorship, advice and advocacy, as well as training of senior managers and leaders.

The reports and recommendations made by the IGNITE Network+ are expected to provide a compelling, scientifically-robust case for change, which will therefore have to be resourced accordingly by funding councils, individual institutions and UK/devolved Governments. If we can provoke that change through this project, then all talent can flourish in UK energy research, which will have a major impact on the UK's ability to meet net zero carbon targets by 2050.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description C-DICE Sandpit Event 
Organisation Loughborough University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Organisation of a sandpit event as part of the Flexible Funding call FA1: Increasing the number of diverse PIs on UKRI grants
Collaborator Contribution C-DICE are hosting and facilitating the sandpit in Loughborough University.
Impact 30 academic staff have signed up to attend a sandpit event on 16 and 17 April 20024.
Start Year 2023
 
Description ECR Net Zero Conference 2024 
Organisation UK Carbon Capture & Storage Research Centre
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution IGNITE formed part of an organising collaboration of 14 consortia in energy/net zero led by UKCCSRC and IDRIC to deliver the ECR Net Zero Conference, Birmingham Conference & Events Centre, 27 and 28 February 2024.
Collaborator Contribution The UKCCSRC and IDRIC led the collaboration.
Impact Presentation by Claire Scott, Programme Manager to introduce IGNITE to over 250 ECRs Plenary EDI session which included contributions from two IGNITE team members Dr Marco Reggiani (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Jessica Gagnon (University of Manchester) and collaborating partner EDI+ and C-DICE (Loughborough University)
Start Year 2023
 
Description EDI+ Network 
Organisation Durham University
Department Durham Energy Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The IGNITE Network and it's sister project EDI+ established a collaboration to run joint networking activities including events seminar series and annual event and a quarterly newsletter.
Collaborator Contribution EDI+ jointly contributed to the
Impact Apr-23 - Joint Launch Event, University of Strathclyde Feb-24 - Joint Networking Seminar in Imperial College London (Presenter: Dr Jess Wade, Imperial College London speaking about Allyship) Mar-24 - Joint Annual Event, University of Manchester
Start Year 2023
 
Description Chair Session Putting Equality and Diversity at the Heart of Decarbonisation, Prof Aoife Foley 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to chair a session and talk about IGNITE during the week long Decarbonising Transport: Obstacles, Options and Opportunities Talks, panels and workshops on the transport decarbonisation challenge, bringing together key stakeholders to help inform the way forward. The session took place on Wed 17 May 15:30 - 17:00.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decarbonising-transport-obstacles-options-and-opportunities-tickets-5...
 
Description ECR Net Zero Conference 2024, Claire Scott 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Provided an overview about the network and the upcoming flexible funding call to the delegates of the ECR Net Zero Conference, Birmingham 2024 to around 250 ECRs.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://ukccsrc.ac.uk/ecr-net-zero-conference-birmingham-27-28-february-2024/
 
Description ECR Net Zero Conference 2024, Dr Marco Reggiani and Dr Jess Gagnon 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Contributed to the EDI Plenary Session at the ECR Net Zero Conference 2024 to around 250 ECRs.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://ukccsrc.ac.uk/ecr-net-zero-conference-birmingham-27-28-february-2024/
 
Description Flexible Funding FA2 Workshop EDI Challenges, Dr Jess Gagnon and Dr Marco Reggiani 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The aim of this workshop:

bring people together who are interested in applying for funding "FA2: EDI Challenges, identifying barriers and designing disruptive initiatives";
facilitate preparation of collaborative bids by building project teams;
generate ideas by exploring the most challenging areas facing the energy research community, identifying barriers and designing disruptive initiatives.

Around 40 people attended (in person and online) on 18 April 2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/latest/launch-event/workshops#workshops
 
Description IGNITE Web-site and Members Pages 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The IGNITE Web-site was established in January 2023 and is now the key tool of for engagement with the energy research community. We continue to develop this, and have created a membership directory and spotlight on our members. Since we launch in January 2023 we have had 3,696 primary visitors to the web-site.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/
 
Description Interview with Prof Becky Lunn 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview video series with Prof Becky Lunn to introduce the network to a wider audience, published on YouTube and shared with the web-site and social media. This was released along with our web-site, and just before the launch event and helped grow our membership which is now sitting at over 300 individual members.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhaZab7PbV4_QzoZeT-l5slXI8Pzpd8CZ
 
Description Isle of Barra & Vatersay Science Festival 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The team attended the Isle of Barra & Vatersay Science Festival with our Draw a Scientist activity and Guess who's not a scientist game to encourage young people to breakdown stereotypes. We spoke with up to 100 school children, parents and teachers as well as networking with other exhibitors. We were also shown on the local news channel and included in the festival final report.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.facebook.com/people/Isle-of-Barra-Vatersay-Science-Festival/100091271910055/
 
Description Network Launch Presentation, Prof Becky Lunn 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Prof Becky Lunn along with other colleagues presented about the the network, why we need the network and how we plan to achieve the aims and objectives to broad audience of around 100 attendees.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhaZab7PbV487Qb2rsN_D3Mj-_f_OVwq8
 
Description Networking Seminar with Jess Wade, Allyship 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The event was attend by 12 people and additional 12 people viewed the recording after the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1FODTYjQSE
 
Description Nuclear Waste Services/ the RSO presentation at their Annual Conference 2024, Prof Becky Lunn 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to present on IGNITE at the Annual Nuclear Waste Services/ the RSO conference, 11 January 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.research-support-office-gdf.ac.uk/connect/previous-events/
 
Description PA5 Mentoring Programme Action Learning Training 2024, Claire Scott and Dr Neha Chandarana 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The briefing workshop was attended by 11 participants who had signed up for the pilot mentoring circles programme running Jan - Jun 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/initiatives/mentoring
 
Description PA5 Mentoring Programme Briefing Session 2023, Claire Scott and Dr Neha Chandarana 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The briefing workshop was attended by 12 participants who had expressed an interest in the pilot mentoring circles programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.ignitenetplus.ac.uk/initiatives/mentoring
 
Description Planning Group for UKERC-Energy Institute Diversifying the Energy Sector Event, March 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to participate in the planning group for the UKERC and Energy Institute event taking place in London, 26 March 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://ukerc.ac.uk/news/diversifying-the-energy-sector-edi-initiatives-that-succeed/
 
Description Visit Heriot-Watt University 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Visit EDICaucus, Herriot-Watt University along with the EDI+ network to liaise with another EDI network project, and learn from some of their best practice. In addition, met with Dame Professor Heather MacGregor, IRDIC EDI lead to discuss potential collaboration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023