Number of minority ethnic weather forecasters down at Met Office

For a long time, science has been dominated by white men and the world of meteorology is no exception. An investigation for UEA Journalism has revealed a lack of non-white people studying for and entering a career in weather forecasting.

To understand how diversity varies in this industry, freedom of information requests were sent to the Met Office and the three UK universities who teach courses with ‘meteorology’ in the title. The responses provide an insight into the gender and ethnic diversities of this field.

Our research found that the Met Office is less diverse than meteorology-based university courses, with a higher proportion of men and a higher proportion of white people than the general population.

According to the 2021 Census, 18% of people living in England and Wales are from BAME backgrounds. However, within the Met Office, the percentage of BAME meteorologists is much lower, approximately 4-7%.

In addition, the percentage of white meteorologists at the Met Office has increased from approximately 74% to around 83% over the past six years.

Misha Gul Khan, who works as a Strategic Business Manager in the International Development team at the Met Office, says a number of steps are being taken to redress the issue: “We’re looking at diverse interview panels, we have something called a diversity dashboard to look at the protected characteristics across each directorate in the Met Office to give us a baseline to see how things have changed.

“We change up the material that we have on our website and social media to make that more diverse.”

She said the Met Office is also working with the Cabinet Office on a diversity internship programme.

Our research also found that at university students on meteorology-based courses are predominantly white although the figures are closer to that of the general population.

According to HESA, 27% of university enrolments in the 2021/22 academic year were BAME students. For meteorology-based degrees, we estimate the percentage of BAME students enrolling in 2021/22 to be approximately 25% – close to or just below the national average.

The split between binary genders (male and female) is more equal.

Where numbers were so small that individuals could potentially be identified, both the University of East Anglia and University of Reading displayed these as ‘less than or equal to four’. This means it was impossible to know the exact number of people in that field. However, in order to understand the trends within this industry, any number less than or equal to four has been rounded up and assumed as ‘four’. Therefore, it shows the highest possible count of people in that field. In reality, numbers are likely to be lower.

The Met Office responded slightly differently, giving no indication of true numbers where the count was small. This means it is impossible to know how many people selected ‘I identify in another way’, although we can assume the number is small. It also means that numbers of people who selected non-white ethnicities were not revealed. However, taking the number of meteorologists who responded to the gender questions and subtracting the number of meteorologists who identify as ‘white’, ‘not declared’ or ‘prefer not to say’, we can assume that the remaining number must identify as another ethnicity and we get a rough estimate.

It’s important to note that, while gender and ethnic diversity is low, other protected characteristics were not investigated in this study, so diversity may exist in other ways.

Despite uncertainty in true numbers due to the limitations of this investigation, it is clear that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are not represented in this industry.

Met Office Headquarters in Exeter, Devon. Credit: Met Office

Misha describes the Met Office as “a great place to work” but also says “it’s lacking in diversity and the most visible area where it is lacking is probably ethnic diversity”.

In 2020, she set up the BAME Staff Network to provide a safe space for colleagues to share thoughts and raise any concerns. She wants to ensure that, although it’s not currently very diverse, the Met Office “can be a home for those that are from an ethnic background”.

“If you go on the website, if you look at material and stuff, you just primarily only see white faces and so it is really hard to imagine yourself working or maybe even moving to Exeter and away from your home, your family, your friends.

“So it’s also a way to share to those outside of the Met Office that there is a space for you.”

Met Office Chief Executive, Professor Penny Endersby, highlighted the lack of ethnic diversity during her very first tour of the Met Office. This is what inspired Misha to create the BAME Staff Network, of which Professor Endersby is a sponsor.

“She’s very keen to understand what our needs and wants are as employees.

“We now have a dedicated team focussed towards improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Met Office and a range of networks alongside the BAME network who continually seek to enhance Met Office staff experiences.”

Misha thinks the main barrier for BAME people getting into meteorology is visibility. While other scientific careers have much more diversity, such as medicine and pharmaceuticals, she describes meteorology as “a sparse area” for diversity.

Misha Gul Khan speaking about how the Met Office are improving diversity and what white colleagues can do to help.

Dr Fazil Baksh, from the Univeristy of Reading, is the school director of WIDE (Wellbeing, Inclusion, Diversity and Equality) for Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences, which is home to the Meteorology department. He echoes Misha’s thoughts on visibility.

“Talking as a non-white person, many people who do maths and science-related subjects at A levels, maybe they don’t see a space for them here, partly because of the lack of role models.

“So, one of things we’re trying to do is ensure that we give visibility to people who can serve as role models.

“The head of our Meteorology department, she’s a professor of Paleoclimatology, her name is Joy Singarayer, she’s non-white and so she has a very high-profile position within the Meteorology department.”

As well as improving visibility of role models, the University of Reading are working to create a supportive and nurturing environment so that students can “realise their full potential”.

When asked what they were doing to encourage diversity and inclusivity, the University of Edinburgh shared this information, saying they “value diversity and (are) committed to equality in education”.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) no longer run their Meteorology and Oceanography degree but remain a world-leading institute for climate and atmospheric science.

A UEA spokesperson said: “The Faculty of Science has two Widening Participation Academic Officers that are part of a team committed to ensuring people from under-represented groups in Higher Education can access the same opportunities as others.

“This work is part of the University’s Office for Students approved Access and Participation Plan.

“We work with schools and colleges across Norfolk and North Suffolk, from primary to sixth forms and colleges, whose cohort typically have a lower participation to Higher Education.”

As well as approving Access and Participation plans for universities around the country, the Office for Students (OfS) help to fund various projects to support BAME students, aiming to widen participation and help young people to make informed choices.

John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the OfS, said: “We know that there are multiple, significant risks to the equality of opportunity for black and ethnic minority students in higher education, both in terms of access and achieving positive outcomes.

“Our equality of opportunity risk register sets out risks universities and colleges need to consider in their access and participation plans, which includes issues affecting black and ethnic minority students.

“The register not only highlights the importance of supporting these students, but also how evaluation to determine effective practice is vital to ensure that all students can access and succeed in their educational journey.”

Although plenty of work is being done to improve diversity and inclusion within meteorology, visibility of role models is of vital importance. As both Misha and Fazil highlighted, this is something that needs to be improved. The cliched phrase ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ really does ring true in this industry.

Could eating insects help fight climate change?

Feeding the world produces roughly 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s not just farming, but distribution, processing and retailing too. Therefore, what we eat has a large impact on the changing climate.

Livestock contribute to about half of these emissions. This is because ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep, produce methane, which is a very potent greenhouse gas.

Cutting methane emissions is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways of lowering our overall emissions. This is because it has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime than gases such as carbon dioxide, which remains in the atmosphere for much longer.

Professor Neil Ward, an expert on net zero, food and farming at the University of East Anglia (UEA) believes “cutting methane is becoming an increasingly prominent challenge within the net zero transition”.

So, could solving the climate crisis be as simple as changing what we eat?

Henry Ayres thinks so.

Henry Ayers representing Edibl at Norwich Science Festival

Henry is a Research and Development Manager at edibl – The UK Insect Company, a start-up who want to revolutionise the food system and introduce insects onto the menu.

Eating insects isn’t uncommon elsewhere in the world, but here in the UK people are still wary. Henry says “it’s yucky” is the most common response he gets when asking people if they would eat insects.

He says it’s important to challenge this view, explaining the benefits of insect protein.

“They take 12 times less feed, 2000 times less water and 100 times less greenhouse gas emissions to create a kilogram of cricket protein than beef protein.”

Henry says that once people hear the facts “it’s hard for them to say no”.

One Norwich chef is already ahead of the curve. Francis Woolf, head chef and owner at Woolf and Social, used to feature insects regularly on his menu.

Image credit: @woolfandsocial

“We had black ants which were served with whipped goats cheese and pickled poached pear.

“We were also getting hold of flying termites, which were amazing. They taste exactly like walnuts.”

According to Francis, one customer loved the black ants so much, they bought a bowlful of them afterwards.

However, new legislation that came into place after Brexit put an end to these particular culinary experiments. Francis hopes that the law will change soon, and that he’ll be able to include a variety of delicious insects on his menu again.

Henry and Francis are both insect fanatics, but not everyone is convinced. Stephen Kirk, who studies International Development and the Environment at UEA, is a member of Plant-Based Unis, a group of students campaigning for universities to go meat free.

“I like the idea that they want to reduce the emissions by eating insects because they’re very high in protein.

“But realistically, how it’s done needs to really be questioned.”

It’s clear that the concept of eating insects can still divide a crowd, but only time will tell if our changing climate can provide us with enough motivation to eat bugs for breakfast.

First parkrun of the New Year attracts more than 18,000 newbies worldwide

More than half the UK’s population make New Year’s resolutions, according to comparison site Finder, with 1 in 4 people taking steps to become healthier.

Some like to hit the gym, others focus on a healthy diet, while on the first Saturday morning of 2023, some waited nervously to start their first parkrun.

Parkrun is a free 5k event that takes place every weekend. On Saturday 7^th January, more than 18,000 people around the world laced up their trainers to run, jog or walk their first parkrun. Amongst the first-timers, completing her parkrun debut at Colney Lane in Norwich, was Tanya Collins.

After suffering from long covid, Tanya was unable to run for two years, which she described as “really disabling”. She had to learn how to breathe again at Norfolk and Norwich hospital, and then began walking in August 2022, with her sights set on running the first parkrun of 2023.

As well as regaining her physical health, Tanya also spoke about the mental health benefits of parkrun.

“Mentally (I feel) absolutely brilliant, I feel wonderful. I think I was probably one of the last ones in, but you know I did it, and that in itself is encouraging.”

Another first-time parkrunner, Dawn Legood, explained how her sister, Josie Bunn, persuaded her to go. Josie spoke about how friendly the atmosphere was: “The people who passed us would say well done, and I just think that’s brilliant.”

Dawn said that the marshals remembered her name and cheered her on as she ran. Speaking about mental wellbeing, Josie said “it clears your head”.

Josie Bunn and Dawn Legood (left) finishing the first parkrun of 2023, cheered on by four amazing volunteers.

One of the people behind Colney Lane parkrun is Ian Edwards, co-event director alongside Grant Wheeler.

As someone who has experienced depression, Ian was keen to speak about the benefits parkrun has on mental wellbeing. You can listen to the full interview below:

Ian Edwards describes how parkrun benefits mental health.

Volunteer Madeline Heppell pointing runners in the right direction.

If running isn’t for you, you can always volunteer, like Madeline Heppell who cheered runners, walkers and joggers along as a marshal on the first parkrun of 2023.

Madeline likes to volunteer to “give something back”. As a keen runner, she feels it’s important to give up her time, so that others can enjoy it.

“For me to run, I need other people to volunteer, so therefore if I volunteer, other people can run.” Madeline really enjoys it, saying “you just get a buzz because people are so friendly”.

Madeline Heppell, runner and volunteer at Colney Lane parkrun.

“Parkrun is for absolutely everybody” is the key message that co-event director Ian Edwards wants to spread, and it couldn’t be easier to get involved. Simply head to the parkrun website to register!

Parkrun volunteers scanning race barcodes and time chips at the end of the run.

‘A Climate Mural For Our Times’ unveiled at Norwich City Hall

Art met science today, as a new mural was unveiled in Norwich City Hall’s council chamber.

Artist Gennadiy Ivanov in front of his work: A Climate Mural For Our Times (above).

The mural, titled ‘A Climate Mural For Our Times’ celebrates the 50th anniversary of the University of East Anglia’s (UEA’s) Climatic Research Unit (CRU). It spans 10m across the council chamber and is comprised of 6 canvases, depicting a record of our changing climate, from 66 million years ago into two of our possible climate futures.

Professor Tim Osborn, CRU director, described the process as a “rich and deep collaboration between Gennadiy (the artist) and the climate scientists at UEA”.

The artist at work. Photo: © Gennadiy Ivanov

The mural has been over 4 years in the making. The artist, Gennadiy Ivanov, was inspired by witnessing our changing climate first hand, during visits to Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast over the years. Gennadiy first visited Happisburgh about 18 years ago. On returning several years later he was shocked to see how much land had been destroyed and how many people had lost their houses. He described working on the project as “incredible and emotional”. Gennadiy thinks that art is one of the best ways to communicate with people; “science in general is not very emotional”, and hopes that his mural will help people to “understand the depth of this problem.”

Labour MP Clive Lewis agrees. “I think that art is a fantastic way of expressing sometimes quite complex and emotional issues, which the climate crisis definitely is.” Mr Lewis described the mural as “a statement about the City Council’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis,” and says it brings together “the creative, the democratic, the educational.”

UEA’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Richardson, said the artist had done a “magnificent job” and is “really proud of all the colleagues at UEA who have been part of it.” As a collaboration between world-leading scientists and a visionary artist, Prof Richardson believes “it typifies exactly what the university stands for, because it brings together the arts with the sciences.”

Professor Tim Osborn hopes that it will act as “a visual cue to remind them (decision makers, policy makers and councillors) that climate change needs to be taken into account in nearly everything we do.”

The 10×1.5 m mural stretching across the council chamber.

Charity shopping: good for the planet and your pocket

Second-hand fashion is on the rise. It’s more affordable and has a much lower environmental impact than fast fashion. And it’s becoming increasingly popular on social media, with #thrifting gathering 6 billion views on TikTok to date.

The Charity Shops Survey 2022 revealed that profits from 41 UK charities were up by 12% this year, compared to before the pandemic. Many charities attribute this to shoppers turning to cheaper options as inflation soars.

A sign drawing shoppers into a charity shop along the Norwich Lanes

Emma Tortice, Manager at a local Break charity shop says “I think it’s got better here, a lot more customers come through the door”. Emma believes that the cost-of-living crisis is responsible for this increase. “If you go into the city you’re gonna spend £15-20 (on a pair of trousers), but you can get a whole outfit for that in a charity shop.”

Break try to cater for everybody and reflect changes in fashion. “Flares are back now, so we’re trying to get them in”. Anything they can’t sell is recycled by East London Textiles, which also earns the charity shop money.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has also seen sales go up, with a 45% increase in income from its charity shops since 2019. Fran Elliot, a Retail Area Manager at EACH says “It’s a really positive sector with really positive results.”

As part of the Charity Shops Survey, nfpResearch investigated people’s changing perceptions towards second-hand clothes. They say that respondents are “eight times more likely to consider charity shops as more “ethical” than high-street stores.” Fran agrees with this sentiment: “I think there’s this ethos now around thinking sustainably, thinking about not just the financial implication but the fact that rather than going and buying something off the rack, I can buy something that’s appropriate for now and then I’ll just re-donate it.”

EACH also recycle all their unwanted donations, another benefit to the environment. On average, the UK charity sector helps to divert 32 tonnes of textiles from landfill every year, saving 6.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere, according to The Charity Retail Association.

To find out more about East Anglia’s changing shopping habits and the environmental advantages of buying second-hand, listen to the report below:

The world’s longest relay delivers a powerful climate message

After an incredible journey crossing oceans, deserts and mountain ranges, the Running Out of Time relay has arrived in Sharm El Sheikh. The purpose of the relay? To deliver a message to decision makers at the climate change conference, COP27.

Departing from Glasgow at the end of September, the symbolic relay baton travelled 7,767km through 18 countries, passed between 4,713 runners, cyclists and sailors. After a 40 day journey, the baton was handed to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the message was read out, demanding quality climate education for all.

I spoke to the the partners of Running Out of Time: Carbon Copy and the Foundation for Environmental Education, as well as Abe Lim, a member of the support team who journeyed alongside the baton. Abe described the experience as “incredibly life-changing”. Listen to the full report in the SoundCloud clip above or by clicking here.

You can still show your support to Running Out of Time by adding your name to the message and by sponsoring those who were involved in the event.

The UK: An increasingly popular place to study

In early 2020, the world came to a halt as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the globe. Many were worried that restrictions on travel and social distancing would deter international students from applying to study in the UK, with London Economics predicting a loss of £1.5 billion associated with an expected drop in the number of students from non-EU countries.

It came as a relief that in the September of 2020 the UK welcomed an 8% increase in international students from outside the EU on taught postgraduate courses, and research by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in 2021 discovered that 88% of international applicants continue to see the UK as a positive or very positive place to study, despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. This is certainly the case for international student Lucas, 22, also known as Jingxuan He, who has left his home in Shanghai, China, to study for a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. Ever since he was young Lucas has really liked the UK and has enjoyed watching movies and TV shows set here. This, along with his love for old buildings, was what drew him to study in the UK.

Lucas (right), pictured in front of Norwich Castle with Broadcast Journalism coursemates Emily (left) and Charlie (centre).

This is not to say Lucas’ previous studies weren’t impacted by the pandemic though, as he spent 2 out of 4 of his years as an undergraduate in Television and Media studying online. Lucas reflects that it was particularly difficult to do practical radio interviews as people didn’t want to go outside.

On moving to the UK, Lucas has felt a little nervous about speaking English. Back home, he used English in exams, but otherwise hardly ever spoke the language. He’s joined English lessons for international students and looks forward to speaking more and improving his pronunciation. Teaching is different here too; in China the focus of lessons was to prepare for exams, with less of a chance to do something practical. Teachers in China tell their students to listen to the government, and Lucas is surprised that this isn’t always the case in the UK.

Lucas (top left) surrounded by Broadcast Journalism coursemates.

Another difference that Lucas mentions is the people. ‘This country has so many different kinds of people’ he says, and people are good to each other. According to Lucas, it can be difficult living in China for people who are gay, but he feels that Norwich is a better place for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

UCAS predicts that the number of international applicants will continue to increase, with over 50,000 undergraduate students expected to apply from China by 2026.