The Royal Irish Academy has commissioned a diversity review in a bid to boost female participation in the prestigious academic body which was established in 1785 to promote science and the humanities. The review, led by former University of Edinburgh vice-principal Lesley Yellowlees, also aims to increase ethnic diversity in the RIA in line with Irish society at large. A specialist in solar energy research who also was the first female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Prof Yellowlees has championed diversity in science. “Diversity is an issue of central importance to the academy, and I am committed to strengthening the diversity of its membership,” said Dr Mary Canning, RIA president. The panel has been asked to identify barriers to increasing diversity and make recommendations to foster greater diversity in future elections of new members.

Source: The Irish Times May 16, 2021 19:18 UTC