Call for accessible design for laboratories to make sure organisations don’t miss out on talent

The Royal Society of Chemistry has called for urgent changes to the design and culture of laboratory spaces after a new report revealed widespread barriers facing disabled researchers. The organisation warns that the chemical sciences could lose out on major discoveries unless universities, industry and policymakers act to create more inclusive environments. The Disability-Inclusive Laboratories in the Chemical Sciences report draws on contributions from more than 400 chemists and sets out a detailed picture of the physical, cultural and organisational obstacles that shape disabled scientists’ careers. According to the findings, almost a third of disabled chemists have experienced bullying or discrimination linked to disability, while more than a quarter say they do not feel a sense of belonging at work. Three-quarters report a lack of awareness among colleagues about their support needs.

The RSC argues that improving laboratory accessibility is not only a matter of fairness but essential for the future of the discipline. The report highlights the contribution of pioneering disabled scientists, including Nobel laureates Dorothy Hodgkin and Sir John Cornforth, and points to the risk of excluding the next generation of innovators.

Helen Pain, chief executive of the RSC, said the findings were “sobering and invigorating”, noting that the experiences shared by disabled chemists reveal both the challenges they face and the practical solutions available. She said failing to act meant chemistry “might continue to miss out on exceptional minds whose work can change the ways in which we view and interact with our world”.

The report also reinforces earlier RSC research showing that disabled scientists tend to earn less and are under-represented in senior roles. Many contributors described being pushed out of laboratory work entirely or redesigning their careers to avoid inaccessible environments.

To address these issues, the RSC has issued 15 recommendations for different groups across the sector. These include accessible laboratory design, disability awareness training for all lab users, routine rather than reactive adjustments, and clear, well-communicated processes for requesting support. The organisation also calls for institutions to embed inclusive culture into everyday practice and to make accessibility a strategic priority rather than an add-on.

The report notes a strong appetite for improvement: 83 percent of surveyed chemists believe institutions should have dedicated disability staff networks, and many highlighted straightforward changes that could immediately improve laboratory access. Alongside the report, the RSC has published a library of case studies illustrating examples of good practice and showing how relatively simple adjustments can transform working conditions. The report draws on the “dropped kerb” principle, emphasising that adjustments designed with disabled people in mind often end up improving safety, efficiency and flexibility for everyone.

Not an isolated problem

Ale Palermo, the RSC’s head of global inclusion, said disabled scientists’ experiences point to systemic rather than isolated problems. She warned that inaction comes with a cost: lost talent and missed opportunities. She urged the sector to “redesign laboratories, policies and cultures so every scientist can thrive”.

The publication forms part of the RSC’s wider inclusion and diversity strategy, which includes support programmes for disabled and neurodivergent scientists and work to address structural inequalities across research and education. The organisation also highlights progress made within the community through its annual Inclusion and Diversity Prize.

To mark the launch of the report, the RSC will host a webinar with the Royal Society on 25 November, bringing together speakers from academia, industry and the professional body to discuss collective action to overcome the barriers facing disabled scientists.

Palermo said the aim is for the chemical sciences to “recognise the scale of the challenge and commit to changes that go beyond statutory compliance”, arguing that accessible laboratories should become a routine feature of research environments. She added that the sector must ensure spaces are designed so “talent can flourish without obstruction”.

The RSC hopes the recommendations will encourage coordinated action across facilities management, leadership teams, funders and policymakers. It argues that building inclusive laboratories is critical to maintaining the UK’s scientific capability and ensuring that chemistry benefits from the full spectrum of talent entering the field