Disadvantaged pupils to work alongside Royal Society fellows Partnership aims to widen participation in science, technology, engineering and maths

School pupils from low-income households will get the chance to participate in work placements with Royal Society fellows as part of a scheme aimed at widening participation in science.

In2ScienceUK, a charity that facilitates work experience at universities and companies for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, announced on 8 October that it would be partnering with the learned society for a one-year pilot project.

From January 2020, participants will be assigned work placements with scientists.

They will also be able to take part in workshops and public engagement competitions, and they will receive guidance on university applications to encourage them into higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Veronica Van Heyningen, chair of the Royal Society’s diversity committee, said the scheme would support and inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM.

“The skills and insights offered by the sciences and maths enrich the country’s economy and environment,” she said. “Scientific progress is most often delivered by the teamwork of widely diverse individuals.”

Rebecca McKelvey, chief executive of In2ScienceUK, added that the partnership would be “a game-changer in supporting more disadvantaged young people to gain valuable insight into the rewarding experiences a career in STEM affords”.