Equality, diversity and inclusion

Diversity drives scientific excellence. We work to build an inclusive Crick culture where everyone can thrive.
Crick staff at the annual 'Bring Your Culture to Work Day'.

Introduction

What is equality, diversity and inclusion?

Watch our video to meet our Inclusion team and hear how we define equality, diversity and inclusion. 

  • Equality is about fair and equal access to jobs, training, resources, opportunities and it's about preventing discrimination and removing barriers proactively.
  • Diversity means variety within a population. if you have a diverse workforce, you'll see representation of different genders, ethnicities, social backgrounds and more all through the organisation.
  • Inclusion means that everyone feels welcome and is able to thrive in an organisation. Ultimately, diversity without inclusion doesn't work. An inclusive workplace welcomes people bringing their whole selves to work.
Read a transcript >

About

Our inclusion strategy and governance structure

Our inclusion strategy 2021 - 2025 (PDF) supports the Crick's strategy, Discovery Without Boundaries 2021 (PDF), by developing an inclusive culture that nurtures diverse talent, and embedding our ways of working - bold, open and collegial.

The Crick Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee has representation from Executive Committee to PhD level. It is accountable for the strategy and supporting the institutional action plan, and oversees six thematic working groups. The committee reports to the Executive Committee and to the Board.

Our inclusion principles

  • The Crick is recognised as an employer with opportunities that are accessible to all, including those in the local community.

  • Recruitment processes, including advertising, shortlisting, interviewing and training are designed to maximise fairness and ensure access to a wide range of talent.

  • We listen and respond to all our staff, regardless of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds, seeking to understand the challenges and barriers they face and creating an environment where diversity is valued.

  • We measure engagement through our surveys, to monitor progress and understand the experience of all groups at the Crick.

  • Through training, we enable open discussion about equity and opportunity in the workplace and challenge behaviour that is not in line with these principles.

  • Our charter marks, reports and statements.

    We hold an Athena SWAN Bronze award from 2019. Our next submission is due in January 2025. 

    In April 2021, our mean gender pay gap was 12.7%, and median 3.0%. Our full gender pay gap reports are shared annually on our website. 

    Our Executive Committee support the five principles of Advance HE's Race Equality Charter. These principles underpin our strategy (PDF).

    Our 2020 Black Lives Matter statement.

    We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion member. 

    Staff networks

    Our networks

    We have four staff-run diversity networks, open to any interested staff.

    Logo for PRISM - the Crick's Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Network.

    Prism - Our race equity network

    Logo for Proud Crick - the Crick's LGBT+ network.


    Proud Crick - Our LGBTQ+ equity network

    Logo for Enable - the Crick's network for staff with disabilities, long-term health conditions or cognitive differences.

    Enable - Our disability and neurodiversity equity network

    Family Network logo

    Family and carers - Our support network for staff with caring responsibilities

    Working in partnership

    Working in partnership

    We are an active member of the EDIS Group, founded at the Crick.

    We are a member of the King's Cross Knowledge Quarter.

    We work with the EDI teams at our six partners: the Medical Research Council, UCL, Imperial College London, King's College London, Wellcome and Cancer Research UK

    Hear from our colleagues

    Mike Tsang

    I was excited to join the Crick and learn about the inclusivity initiatives being undertaken, ranging from the Crick’s Athena Swan accreditation to our support for the 10,000 Black Interns programme.

    EDI for me is crucial in ensuring that the Crick draws talent in from the widest base possible. I am a big believer in setting the right working culture, including a strong focus on EDI, to allow our staff to get the most out of themselves, and feel comfortable and included at work."

    Mike Tsang, Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
    Lucy Collinson

    "There is a noticeable lack of diversity in the microscopy community, which means that we are failing to engage all of the most talented minds in the effort to solve the grand challenges in imaging science.

    In my team, we are working with In2ScienceUK, Black in Cancer and 10,000 Black Interns to improve our chances of finding and engaging those minds, no matter their background and early opportunities."

    Lucy Collinson, Head of Electron Microscopy STP
    Nana Mensah

    “I worked for several scientific organisations before joining the Francis Crick Institute, but none had the same commitment to promoting workforce diversity.

    I have been inspired by the Crick’s talented Inclusion team, and the dedication of the Crick staff networks such as Proud Crick, Enable and PRISM, who work tirelessly to build a more inclusive workplace culture that celebrates diversity.

    To me, the Crick is world-leading in its approach to improving EDI in science.”

    Nana Mensah, PhD Student
    Lord Browne

    "I am committed to ensuring that the Crick is a world-leading institute, in terms of both our scientific discoveries and our approach to people.

    This means embracing equality, diversity and inclusion. I am proud that we have been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze award, are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a participant in the Workplace Equality Index – but there is much more to do."

    Lord Browne of Madingley, Chair of the Crick's Board
    James Briscoe

    "Inclusion is about ensuring everyone is able to reach their full potential.

    We want to promote a culture that respects and embraces difference to foster bold and creative thinking and encourage new perspectives and connections."

    James Briscoe, Principal Group Leader and EDI Committee Chair

    Video transcript

    Sign up for our newsletters

    Join our mailing lists to receive updates about our latest research and to hear about our free public events and exhibitions.  If you would like to find out more about how we manage your personal information please see our privacy policy.