FST BLOG

Lack of Representation of Black and Ethnic Minorites in the Commercial Science Industry

• 15 December 2022
• Business, Education, General, Technology
• Daniel Similaki

It is important to define what the Commercial Science Industry means. The Commercial Science industry is described as an industry where science meets the customer. It entails commercial functions outside of the laboratory, roles such as applications, sales marketing, and technical support to mention a few in the life science market.

According to the biotech Diversity, Equity and Iinclusion report by the Biotechnology Innovation Organisation black employees make up 6% of the workforce - and 3% at executive level – across the whole life sciences sector, despite many life science companies stating that recruiting and attracting diverse talent is a major priority. Commercial science is a white-dominated industry. Black and ethnic minority representation decreases as one moves up the corporate ladder. Entry-level commercial scientific positions are also lacking in black people and other racial and ethnic minorities

This led to the creation of the social enterprise African-Caribbean Commercial Science Network (ACCSN). We rely on Sponsors and grants to support our mission. Daniel Similaki established ACCSN after years of disappointment about the lack of programmes promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the commercial science sector. He was also frustrated by the absence of black role models and professionals in the field of commercial science because this made it more difficult for him to envision how his career might develop.

Daniel Similaki is a key account manager at a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services focusing on the pharmaceutical sector. He has a background in chemistry and completed his chemistry degree at the University of Huddersfield. At his present company, he also serves as the DE&I lead for Europe.

ACCSN works to improve the cultural competency of businesses that have commercial roles in the UK life science industry and increase the appeal of the commercial path to racial minorities. Few people are aware of how lucrative the commercial route may be or that someone with a scientific background (Degree or A-level Chemistry, biology, physics, etc.) can enter the commercial science route

We seek to raise the profile of black and ethnic minorities in commercial science by supporting the development of aspiring and current professionals in the industry while providing a space through which they can thrive together. We aim to do this through the following:

 

1. Collaborate & Coordinate -Cooperate and plan with experts in the commercial science field to help boost the market share of Black and Ethnic Minorities in the UK.
2. Connect – Create a group of professionals in the field to connect, work together, and create long-lasting networks. For instance, through networking websites, LinkedIn, and events.
3. Find Talent - Encourage more talented people from ethnic minorities to pursue careers in science. We'll do this by providing current and aspiring professionals with access to mentorship, internships, and work experience.
4. Educate – We aim to educate current and aspiring professionals on the information they need about the many career choices and the abilities they need to advance in their careers. Some examples include sales training, best practices, and other material. Additionally, we want to collaborate with academic institutions to improve black and ethnic minority students' employability. We develop commercial scientific modules, among other services, for universities and colleges. We can drive a more diversified talent stream into the scientific area by educating kids as early as high school, which gets them interested in a career in science but keeps them on that path. We aim to teach life science firms about inclusion, equity, and diversity for example employee resource group creation.
5. Influence - By questioning the status quo and collaborating with organisations dedicated to advancing science to address the lack of diversity in the field.

 

We can't afford to let our guard down. Organisations that are yet to embrace diversity are missing out on its numerous advantages. A diverse workplace has no disadvantages. We at ACCSN are here to push for change.

---