Report highlights disconnect between data collection and action on EDI in UK science and tech sector

A year-long project on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategies in the UK’s science sector – led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM (APPG on D&I in STEM) – has drawn to a close with a new report exploring data collection, analysis and insight. 

Published by the APPG’s Secretariat, the British Science Association, the report is based on a July 2025 roundtable in parliament and evidence received by the Group over the summer of 2025. 

This report explores the main themes which emerged, bringing together five key messages and a set of recommendations for the UK government and its agencies, and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector.  

There are clear themes and conclusions based on insight from participants, which included policymakers and EDI and data experts from across the STEM sector. 

These included the difficulties that small businesses have in data collection and analysis due to resources and privacy concerns in small workforces; and the fact that there is often a disconnect between data collection and action.  

When data is collected but does not result in action, it can lead to mistrust or confusion on the need for collection in the first place.  

The five key findings highlighted in the report are:  

1. Many organisations face challenges related to intersectionality, but there are also issues with reporting on a single characteristic (especially ethnicity and disability). Diversity characteristics data should be supported by qualitative data to draw out the nature of people’s experiences over time within organisations and to better understand equity and inclusion.   

2. There is a need to understand the experiences of those less likely to be represented within the STEM sector throughout the lifecycle. For instance, understanding where underrepresented communities become marginalised in STEM education and careers.  

3. Data for diversity and inclusion, including pay gap reporting and intersectional data, can be complex to produce and analyse. To better understand how multiple identities interact and gather useful insights, more sophisticated statistical methods are often required.  

4. There is often a disconnect between data collection and action, which can lead to mistrust. Data should only be collected when there is a clear purpose for it and when it is linked to an action. More emphasis is needed on leveraging the data that is already available.   

5. Many micro and small STEM organisations want to be more inclusive and equitable but lack the resources to invest in suitable data collection and analysis and face greater privacy concerns due to small sample sizes.   

This report is the second and final publication of the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM’s project on EDI strategies in STEM.  

The APPG will now contact relevant government departments and agencies to inform them about the project’s findings and to make recommendations to support STEM organisations in becoming more inclusive and equitable.   

Shortly before the 2024 General Election, the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM launched its project on EDI strategies in STEM to explore the most effective approaches to progressing EDI and improving representation in the STEM workforce. The project posed three key questions:  

What can be done to improve data reporting on representation in the STEM workforce? How can EDI strategies better reflect the lived experience of groups underrepresented in STEM? How can organisations evaluate the effectiveness of their EDI action plans?   

A series of events in parliament has resulted in two reports and a series of blog posts published by the British Science Association.  

The British Science Association acts as Secretariat for the Group as part of its work on equality, diversity, and inclusion across the science and science engagement sectors.   

The Group is made up of Members of Parliament and the House of Lords and is a focus for collaboration with business and other organisations in the STEM sector.  The APPG is chaired by  Samantha Niblett MP (Labour). Its officers are Baroness Brown of Cambridge (Crossbench), Lord Lucas (Conservative), and Dr Lauren Sullivan MP (Labour).  

Read the full report - Data collection, insight and analysis for diversity and inclusion in STEM