10 June, 2020 News stories

British Antarctic Survey supports and endorses the UKRI statement on Black Lives Matter

Our cultural values are built on respect, acceptance, inclusion, commitment and excellence.  We embrace and recognise the importance of taking a stand against racism and strive for diversity and equality of opportunity, and are committed to building inclusive and diverse teams that represent all backgrounds.

Discrimination on grounds of age, sex, race, religious beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation has no place at British Antarctic Survey. We realise BAS is on a journey, and seek dialogue and collaboration to ensure our aspirations will be fully reflected in reality.

Signed by the Directors on behalf of BAS

  • Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey
  • Professor David Vaughan, Director of Science
  • Dr Bea Schlarb-Ridley, Director of Innovation & Impact
  • Simon Garrod, Director of Operations
  • Laura Dance, Director of Corporate Services and Financial Strategy
  • Jon Ager, Director of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme

UKRI statement on Black Lives Matter

09/06/2020

Racism takes lives and breeds hate. We grieve for all those who have lost their lives to this form of injustice, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Stephen Lawrence and David Oluwale. This is not a problem that occurs ‘elsewhere’, or one that has only happened in the last two weeks. There are centuries of injustices to reflect on here and to begin to reckon with. The mobilisation that has occurred within communities in the UK, and across the globe, highlights the overwhelming message of solidarity against racism and anti-blackness.

Our research and innovation community has expressed with us their anger, grief, frustration and even exhaustion. We share those feelings and recognise the importance of taking a stand against racism and the violent acts of brutality connected to George Floyd’s and others’ deaths.

Yet we also know that racism takes many forms – including far more subtle forms that keep Black people out of the room and silence their voices. There is also the racism that sees people stereotyped because of the colour of their skin or denied a job because of their last names. We know that to engage deeply in anti-racist work involves more than just writing a statement. It involves the on-going and longer-term commitment of practising justice. We want a world that dedicates itself to this longer-term commitment and to achieving justice in practice.

We have begun work to address our structures, our work environments and the ways that we may be perpetuating problems – in terms of who we represent, who we invite to the table, who we partner with and fund. This is something that we will be focusing our energies on as we do the work that is needed to right the systemic wrongs that racism creates.

Alongside this will be a renewed dedication to listen to, support and continue to champion the many researchers, innovators, organisations and community advocates who have been doing this work for a very, very long time. We are challenging ourselves, and the entire research and innovation sector, to reflect on whether we as individuals, and as a community, are doing enough to eradicate racism.

Everyone deserves opportunity and a future, and that cannot happen in a world in which anti-blackness remains.  Black Lives Matter.

On behalf of the UKRI executive team:

Professor Sir Mark Walport, UKRI Chief Executive

Professor Andrew Thompson, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council

Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Professor Dame Lynn Gladden, Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Professor Jennifer Rubin, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council

Dr Ian Campbell, Executive Chair of Innovate UK

Professor Fiona Watt, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council

Professor Sir Duncan Wingham, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council

David Sweeney, Executive Chair of Research England

Professor Mark Thomson, Executive Chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council

Emma Lindsell and Isobel Stephen, UKRI Executive Director for Strategy and Governance

Sue Donaldson, UKRI Chief People Officer

Mike Blackburn, Interim UKRI Chief Finance Officer