Senior black scientists claim research in the UK is 'institutionally racist'

Senior black scientists have claimed that research culture in the UK is 'institutionally racist' and is failing them at every stage of their careers after a study found they hold just 3.5 per cent of professor posts. 

Professor Christopher Jackson, a geoscience professor at Manchester University, said he believes publicly-funded research conducted in universities discriminates against black academics.

He told the BBC that the problem is compounded by the fact that senior white scientists don't recognise there is racism in their institutions, adding: 'Racism and racists persist within those networks too.

'They persist because they are not engaging to give black people the support they need to navigate a system which is often quite alien to them and to tell you about some of the unspoken norms and hidden laws that are in there.'

A Royal Society report found that a greater proportion of black scientists are dropping out at every stage of their careers than their white counterparts, whereas other minority groups are better represented.

Drawing on data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the Royal Society analysed the ethnicity of students and staff in science, technology, engineering and maths.

It found that 6.5 per cent of black people who begin research eventually drop out, compared with 3.8 per cent white students. For those in science, 3.5 per cent are made professors - compared to nearly 12 per cent of their white counterparts. Overall, black people account for 1.7 per cent of research staff - whereas they make up 3.4 per cent of the UK population. 

Imperial College researcher Dr Mark Richards said the Royal Society data 'seem to show that there is an element of racism or structural bias'. He also

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