About us

The UKRC is the lead organisation for the provision of advice, services and policy consultation regarding the under-representation of women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment (SET).

We work with employers; professional bodies; education institutions; women's organisations and networks; policy institutes; sector skills councils; the government and many others to promote gender equality in SET.

The UKRC is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and through other funding sources.

The UKRC vision

'By 2030 we will have an environment in UK SET employment, research and policy making, in which women contribute to, participate in and share the benefit equally to their male counterparts.’

This long-term vision can only be achieved if all stakeholders within science, engineering and technology take the necessary action to make it happen.

Where to find us

The UKRC services are provided across England and Wales from a central base in Bradford, West Yorkshire, from our South East hub at the University of Reading and from a base in South Yorkshire at Sheffield Hallam University. We also provide services from a London base for business and organisations in Greater London and South East England. In Scotland, the Scottish Resource Centre for Women in SET (hosted at Edinburgh Napier University) offers similar services.

Find out more about our partnership.

The UKRC also supports the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research.

Athena SWAN is jointly owned by the Equality Challenge Unit and the UKRC. It is funded by the Equality Challenge Unit, UKRC, Higher Education Funding Council, Royal Society and the Biochemical Society.