comment The missing colours of chemistry Ingrained prejudices and a lack of action addressing discrimination are some of the main reasons why academic chemistry is overwhelmingly white. Data and discussions on racial inequalities are often greeted with scepticism and cynicism within the community, yet they are necessary to fght racism — and anti-Black racism in particular. Binuraj R. K. Menon

he racial disparities that permeate society have become much more Tvisible — particularly to those who typically have not suffered from such inequities. They have recently been highlighted by the increased profile of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against police brutality, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been found to disproportionately affect certain communities, notably Black people1. Inequality and racism also prevail in scientific institutions — and chemistry is no exception. The fact that Black chemists are systemically denied access to opportunities and positions at every level in academia is obvious from simply looking at the make-up of research and teaching faculties in the Western world, as well as conferences — from small meetings to large international ones. Historically, the world of chemistry has been a very white one and it is important to recognize that this has been perpetuated by systemic racism2,3, that is, the policies and practices in place at institutions that inherently disadvantage Black and other minoritized ethnic groups. Note the use of ‘minoritized’, rather than ‘minority’, to highlight the dominant power structure that has resulted in social inequities through Alma Levant Hayden. Credit: Alto Vintage Images/Alamy Stock Photo which certain groups of individuals have less power or representation than others. at university. According to the report, Black is necessary to promote change — yet The statistics speak for themselves representation is only 7.9% among bachelor we know that during the academic year In the USA, the National Centre for Science degree recipients and it further declines 2018/2019 only 0.7% of all UK university and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) and the to 4.5% in PhD recipients, to 3.2% for professors (across all fields) were Black. Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity postdoctoral researchers in universities and That equates to less than 1 Black professor Equity (OXIDE) have recently released data just 1.6% of chemistry professors at the top per higher-education institute in the UK6 collected between 2015 and 2018 that clearly 50 schools in the USA. (https://go.nature.com/35uubbd). Strikingly show that Black chemists are systematically In the UK, the Royal Society of though, in both countries, this is in stark denied access to academic jobs4. As Black Chemistry (RSC) diversity landscape report5 contrast to the fact that Black students are people make up about 12.3% of the US from 2018 showed a very similar situation. found in chemistry departments at first-year population, in a fair and equitable world one The proportion of chemistry students from university level in percentages that reflect would expect to see a similar representation minoritized ethnic groups falls from 26% at those of the general population (12-13% for at every segment of academic life, including undergraduate level to 14% at postgraduate the USA, 3% in the UK). undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral levels; Black and Asian students were shown Already back in 2006, the RSC and the researcher and professor levels. This should to be less likely to progress to postgraduate Institute of Physics jointly published a report hold for other chemistry careers too. Yet, study than their white peers. At professor on the representation of different ethnic in the academic and educational systems, level, no chemistry-specific data was groups in chemistry and physics in the UK, the percentage of Black people drastically reported — which is in itself an issue as a pointing to a drastic drop in numbers from falls at every single stage past the first year more accurate assessment of demographics marginalized communities from studying at

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against people. Building a diverse workforce — more likely to investigate more diverse lines of enquiries than a homogeneous group — is also in good agreement with the scientific method that considers different hypotheses. Yet, higher-education institutes in Western countries struggle to recruit and support a diverse workforce. In my experience, racial and gender disparities — and the associated salary gaps — are discussed very little within academic circles, through recruitments, appointments, promotion processes and, in fact, every decision-making aspect of the academic life. Any discussion of racial discrimination is likely to prompt the raising of eyebrows, cause distress, or at least discomfort, simply by calling attention to it. As Patricia J. Williams once described in her memoir book The Alchemy of Race and Rights, “race is always an invisible elephant in the room”.

Selective memory Muhammad ibn Zakariyyā al-Rāzī; Rhazes, Islamic polymath. Credit: Science History Images/Alamy “You have to know the past to understand Stock Photo the present”, said Carl Sagan. In 1978, in an essay entitled Why Chemistry Needs History and How It Can Get Some, historian GCSE level (at the end of secondary school) trajectory towards an academic position, Stephen Brush identified that chemists to pursuing a PhD in those topics7. The and one where many Black people and are largely unaware of the history of their similarities with the current statistics make members of other marginalized groups find discipline and suggested that this could for gloomy reading: the situation has barely it hard to continue a career in academia12,13. be alleviated by the presence of historians changed, despite awareness of the issue. Recent data from UKRI has also shown that qualified to teach the history of the science Clearly, it is important to recognize women and minoritized ethnic awardees in chemistry departments. 43 years on, it is that minoritized communities aren’t a tended to apply for, and receive, smaller still as relevant18. One way to counter racial homogeneous group; different people will research grants14. prejudices is to ensure we remain aware of have different experiences, which in turn Though the reports mentioned above, as how science developed throughout history, needs to be considered when thinking about well as others15,16, only reflect the situation giving due credit to the contributions from actions that need to be taken in higher in UK and USA academic institutions, the historically marginalized groups but also education. It is also important to consider same trend is also very noticeable in the not forgetting science’s involvement in the intersectional nature of oppression that EU (https://go.nature.com/2MHVZCj). establishing racial bias in society. generates unique situations for people who As an example, no Black chemists have The field of alchemy — chemistry’s identify with more than one minoritized been recognized with a Chemistry Europe predecessor — is an example of how the group; for example, consider the experience fellowship since it was established in 2015 earliest contributions from outside Europe of Black women with disabilities over the (https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary. have systematically been discredited. experience of all Black people. Importantly, wiley.com/hub/fellows). Chemistry Europe, Alchemy originated with scholars of the the data at hand shows that Black women, which consists of 16 chemical societies from medieval Islamic world. The word alchemy in particular, face further barriers in the 15 European countries and represents over comes from the Arabic ‘al-kīmiyā’, which higher-education sector — they only 75,000 chemists, describes this fellowship may be derived from the ancient Egyptian make up 0.1% of professors appointed as “the highest recognition for European word kemi, meaning black, indicating the in higher-education institutes across the chemists to their outstanding support as rich dark soil of the Nile river valley and UK (that is, 25 Black female professors in authors, advisors, guest editors, referees as its people19. It was through the work of 2018, combining all fields)8. This and other well as services to their national chemical alchemists in the medieval Middle East, such studies, including those conducted by Nicola societies”. Another annual reminder of this as Abū Mūsā Jābir ibn Ḥayyān and Abū Bakr Rollock (in 2019) and Iyiola Solanke (in situation is that, in the over-100-year history Muhammad ibn Zakariyyā al-Rāzī (pictured) 2017), reveal the unfairness and bias faced of the Nobel Prize, we have never seen a that alchemy reached its apogee. They by Black women in higher education and Black scientist — chemist or otherwise — introduced the earliest written methods for their subsequent poor career experiences, be awarded the Nobel prize in Chemistry, chemical classification and several protocols with institutions typically asking too much Physics, or Physiology or Medicine17. in metallurgy and inorganic extraction. The from them, often with no support8–11. Striving for diversity is simply the right comprehensive thoughts they introduced, Furthermore, these statistics only partly thing to do. No one should be excluded from which are recorded in old manuscripts and convey the intricacy of the situation. For pursuing a career in science on account of book volumes, went on to pertain not only example, ‘postdoctoral level’ covers a their skin colour, ethnicity, background, to chemistry, but also physics and medicine. variety of contracts. It is perhaps the most gender, disability, sexual orientation or other The contribution of these alchemists also formative career stage in a researcher’s such criteria typically used to discriminate lingers in many chemical names — muriatic

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Race Science, “race science is not about biology, it’s about power” (https://go.nature. com/3sbfnYJ); simplistic, pseudoscientific arguments are still invoked today to avoid political responsibility (https://go.nature. com/35qiyly). It is crucial for the scientific community to remain aware of — and continuously fight against — these ideas under any disguise. It is also important to acknowledge the fact that science isn’t the data-driven endeavour, free from any human biases — conscious or unconscious — that it is often perceived to be. Policies and practices must be put in place to dismantle the biases that remain embedded in our institutions and individual judgements. As chemists, we must ensure we are aware of our history and we must rectify unfair accounts of the past that carry bias in historical descriptions and interpretations.

Celebrating Black chemists Another manifestation of collective amnesia is through the classic chemistry textbooks we follow, which have typically George Washington Carver. Credit: Everett Collection Historical/Alamy Stock Photo been written by privileged classes. I was, at times, staggered by the fact that most named reactions, which are widespread (hydrochloric) acid, sulfuric acid, soda differences between people persisted and in particular within the fields of organic (al-natrun), alkali (al-qali), nitric acid, aqua became insidiously woven into societies’ chemistry and organometallic catalysis regia, alcohol (al-kohl), elixir (al-iksir), key institutions; for example, they have (such as the Fischer–Speier esterification, and alembic (al-inbiq), to name a few. Yet been linked in the USA to Black people Prilezhaev epoxidation, Ullmann coupling, throughout the centuries our knowledge being less likely to be provided with Heck reaction) as well as many theorems, of alchemists has been largely mediated appropriate pain treatment25. physical and chemical laws, rules and through Latin translators and European Scientists also created the equations (for example Hückel’s rule, colonizers, and it is therefore not surprising pseudoscientific eugenics movement Le Chatelier’s principle, Faraday’s law, that the early discoveries and contributions — with its stated aim of improving the Kasha’s rule, Langmuir equation) are, to the shift from alchemy to science human race by encouraging its fittest overwhelmingly, named after white were toned down or ignored to fit members to reproduce. Eugenics was largely men. The prevalence of just one group of their preferred narrative. adapted from social Darwinism in the late people gives the impression that they are Perhaps too often conveniently forgotten, nineteenth century — a gross distortion of the only ones that have made significant science and racism have been intertwined Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, contributions to chemistry, in turn sending a for centuries, including more recent times20. used to rationalise societal inequalities signal to students about whether or not they The relationships that existed between through judgements on which groups were belong in the field. This limited view of the the Royal Society in its early years and superior or inferior26,27. Under the eugenics history of chemistry is of course far from the slave traders such as the Royal African movement, mass sterilization was developed, truth, and amending textbooks accordingly Company (RAC) are documented21 and in part funded by influential industrialists28. would give a fairer representation of the field include financial ties until 1699 as well as a They were arguably motivated by eugenics and its important contributors. Not only significant overlap in membership. Robert theories for political and financial gains, should we celebrate Black History Month Boyle (1627–1691), one of the founders of along with the aim of dominance over in our chemistry departments, we should modern chemistry, carried out investigations marginalized ethnic communities and other celebrate the historical contributions of on the origin of black skin22, which he vulnerable groups29,30. During those periods, Black and other minoritized scientists the observed didn’t seem directly related to and particularly through widespread efforts whole year round, just as we do with their the climate one lived in. His studies on the to curtail the freedom and even the lives white male counterparts — this would inheritance of skin colour, along with those of groups judged ‘unfit to have children’, dispel the myth that chemistry was mostly of several fellows23 of the Royal Society on chemists were called upon, funded and built by white men. human differences, contributed to shaping fuelled by the eugenic nexus to develop Throughout history, Black chemists have perceptions of human races — and absurd chemical contraceptives and spermicides28. often encountered hardship, pushed racial theories of race supremacy — that would go These ideas have been repeatedly and barriers, and even had to embrace solitude on, over the following decades, to be used thoroughly debunked yet, very worryingly, to carry out scientific research — these are to morally justify the brutal treatment of they haven’t truly disappeared. In the stories that would undoubtedly motivate people who had been enslaved24. As society words of Angela Saini, science journalist emerging chemists, beyond their scientific evolved, erroneous beliefs about biological and author of Superior: The Return of achievements. The life and scientific

Nature Chemistry | VOL 13 | February 2021 | 101–106 | www.nature.com/naturechemistry 103 comment discoveries of Norbert Rillieux (1806–1894), chemistry from the University of Hawaii, in academia, which has a profound impact George Washington Carver (1860s–1943), and the first African American woman to on mental health, education and career Saint Elmo Brady (1884–1966), Alice become a chemistry instructor there37. The outcomes. Most importantly, when academic Augusta Ball (1892–1916), Lloyd Augustus Ball method, an injectable and water-soluble staff members were involved, a large Hall (1894–1971), Percy Lavon Julian formulation of chaulmoogra tree oil for proportion of the incidents took place (1899–1975), Charles Richard Drew (1904– leprosy treatment, was her pioneering in office environments in the presence 1950), Mary Elliott Hill (1907–1969), Walter discovery; it was used for effective leprosy of their colleagues — underscoring the Lincoln Hawkins (1911– 1992), Henry Cecil treatment for over 20 years in the early need to raise accountability. McBay (1914–1995), John E. Hodge (1914– twentieth century. In particular, Black women and 1996), Henry Aaron Hill (1915–1979), Lloyd The scientific legacies of Black early-career Black researchers suffer the Noel Ferguson (1918–2011), Samuel P. chemists still impact modern science. Yet, devastating effects of institutionalised Massie (1919–2005), Marie Maynard Daly by systematically ignoring their stories racism, with very little opportunity for (1921–2003), Hosea Williams (1926–2000), and contributions we continue to create training and promotion41,42. In many cases Alma Levant Hayden (1927–1967), John generations of chemists who don’t appreciate they are made to feel that they do not belong R. Cooper (1930–2016), James Andrew the history of their field and have a very and are regularly subjected to various forms Harris (1932–2000), Bertram O. Fraser-Reid narrow view of its past contributors. of discrimination, resulting in them leaving (1934–2020), Bettye Washington Greene This is not only fertile ground to foster academia43. To compound the unfairness (1935–1995), Jeannette E. Brown (born biased views in the community on who of the situation, a recent study showed 1934), Joseph S. Francisco (born 1955), Kelly should or shouldn’t be given opportunities that although women and people from Chibale (born 1967), Clarice E. Phelps and to participate, but also means that the marginalized ethnic groups have exhibited so many others are typically forgotten31. chemistry community and wider society higher innovation rates than those of white Look them up — learn what they did — more generally miss out on the potential men, their contributions are typically and bring their names into the mainstream contributions of the people who have overlooked and they have less successful of chemistry. This is a partial list of Black been excluded. careers as researchers44. Furthermore, pioneers in chemistry who overcame great they are often asked to engage in far more odds and went on to make ground-breaking Black in the ivory tower outreach activities and diversity initiatives discoveries and developments32. The fact that systemic racism is a structural than their white male counterparts. This The life of George Washington Carver problem within organizations — and is additional workload, which can also (pictured) — an agricultural chemist — arguably unnoticed by many within the represent an emotional burden for already is itself a symbol of anti-racism and for majority groups — makes it difficult to thinly stretched researchers, is typically liberation through education. Carver, report the examples of unfair treatment not recognized for career advancement believed to have been born enslaved, fought and racial harassment received by Black (https://go.nature.com/3nzsteX/). against diseases, slavery and poverty33. A researchers in the workplace to employers. When Black scholars started to share pioneer in sustainable organic farming, Those employees also have the constant some of their experiences through the Carver developed several systematic worry of being treated less fairly after hashtag #BlackInTheIvory on Twitter — scientific methods for crop-rotation based speaking up, potentially being seen as from the micro- to the macro-aggressions, on soil nitrogen levels in the USA. Percy trouble-makers and subsequently ostracized. including physical threats, that they Lavon Julian — the first African American Several studies have been conducted by the routinely face in their academic life — many chemist admitted into the National Equality and Human Rights Commission in non-Black readers were shocked at just how Academy of Sciences — laid the foundation the UK. Their survey results suggested that prevalent anti-Black racism is in academia45. of synthetic steroid pharmaceutical industry. only a minor proportion (1 in 5) of racially This campaign, initiated by Shardé Davis, He is well known for having carried out abusive behaviours and verbal bullying assistant professor of the University of the first synthesis of the natural product incidents at work places were actually Connecticut and Joy Melody Woods, PhD physostigmine and for the chemical reported and the reported complaints student at the University of Texas-Austin, synthesis of many steroid hormones from were mostly handled without sufficient clearly shows just how difficult academic the plant sterols34,35. seriousness by the employers38,39. life can be for Black people in a manner Alma Levant Hayden (pictured) The Commission also looked into racial not quite captured by surveys and statistics was one of the first African American harassment in 2019 after surveying students (https://go.nature.com/2LAaY0G)46. Many women chemists at the Food and Drug and staff from publicly funded universities young Black academics and students Administration (FDA) in the USA. She was across England, Scotland and Wales40. The expressed their strong disappointment in an expert in spectrophotometric analysis survey showed that 24% of minoritized the constant discouragement they receive of pharmaceutical molecules. In 1963, students and more than 25% of staff from white faculty members, as well Levant Hayden was appointed chief of the members experienced racial harassment; as in the institutions that feature them spectrophotometer research branch in the with racist name-calling and insults at the superficially in diversity and inclusion Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry36. universities being common. 1-in-20 students brochures yet foster a hostile environment, Levant Hayden’s name gained wider media and 3-in-20 staff members who responded taking no steps to actually recognize their attention when she led a team of researchers to the survey left their studies or job because achievements47. Change will only come to analyse the chemical composition of of racial harassment, with many more from these experiences being acknowledged Krebiozen — an expensive, controversial considering quitting38,39. After facing racial first, and the fact that these discussions are molecule that was once promoted as an harassment at these institutions, the students finally happening is a welcome development. anti-cancer drug, but turned out to show and staff members felt depressed, anxious The attention of the community must now no therapeutic effects. Alice Augusta Ball and vulnerable — with 8% reporting they be sustained and converted into action — (who died at the young age of 24) was the had felt suicidal. These reports clearly show importantly, majority groups need to listen, first woman to receive a Master’s degree in the scale of racial bullying and harassment learn and help solve the problems.

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Equity initiatives other approaches, such as providing upcoming funding competition to address In the USA, the Open Chemistry diversity grants and awards. inequalities in UK postgraduate courses, Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE) As awareness of the marginalization and improve participation of Black and initiative — supported jointly by the of academics from minoritized ethnic other minoritized students50. These very National Institutes of Health (NIH), groups grew in UK universities, a race welcome initiatives stem from the many Department of Energy (DOE) and National equality charter (REC) was created in 2015 reports and action plans put forward by Science Foundation (NSF) through grants — inspired by the success of the Athena grassroots, volunteer-run organizations — is working to reduce inequitable policies SWAN charter to support women in STEM such as Leading Routes (https:// and practices throughout chemistry — that helps higher-education institutions leadingroutes.org/), Runnymede (https:// departments. OXIDE’s activities include identify the institutional and cultural www.runnymedetrust.org/), Black British the organization of workshops and barriers faced by minoritized ethnic staff Academics (https://blackbritishacademics. symposiums, providing diversity resources, and students48. Unfortunately, so far only 75 co.uk/), The Access Project (https://www. and assessing demographic statistics over of the 165 UK higher-education institutes theaccessproject.org.uk/), Ladders for action 75 chemistry departments and publicizing that returned data to the Higher Education (https://ladders4action.org/), The Inclusion the details in partnership with Chemical Statistics Agency are members of REC, Group for Equity in Research (TIGERS) & Engineering News (C&EN). It also gives of which only 17 institutes have received in STEMM (https://www.tigerinstemm. recognition to ‘diversity leaders’ within a bronze award while none have received org/) and the Cowrie Foundation (https:// chemistry departments, selected by the silver or gold awards (https://go.nature. cowriescholarshipfoundation.org.uk/) to OXIDE team based on diversity activities com/3hZsBTQ). This is in stark contrast to name but a few. within departments (http://oxide.jhu.edu/2/ 164 Athena SWAN members, holding 962 The lack of engagement from universities Diversity_Catalyst_Lecturer). The NIH awards amongst them (https://go.nature. is similarly bleak in Canada and in the and NSF also promote diversity through com/2MSrZnw). A study of these two EU. Several reports and news articles have different participation, scholarships, training charters argues that gender inequalities have appeared in the last few years that indicate grants and funding programs such as the been prioritized over racial ones, resulting that most higher-education institutions Alliances for Graduate Education and “in a hierarchy of oppression in which failed to provide data on how their students the Professoriate (AGEP), undergraduate women’s experiences have been privileged racially identify51–54. As mentioned above, programs at historically Black colleges and over that of men and women of colour”49. it is necessary to have a clear picture of universities (HBCU-UP), Louis Stokes Over the years, many equality, diversity student and staff diversity through statistics Alliances for Minority Participation and inclusion (EDI) activists, academics to be able to recognize the issues, the factors (LSAMP), and other programs and and organizations have continuously at play, and work on providing solutions. scholarships (https://extramural-diversity. pointed out the systematic inequalities All institutions — particularly those with nih.gov/guidedata/data; https://www.nsf. within UK research communities (https:// regulatory powers — must engage in gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=HRD). go.nature.com/2MWeEe1; https://go.nature. diversity and inclusion initiatives, and HBCUs, initially founded to offer higher com/2MWdUWh) and have asked for major must take care not to side-step the specific education to Black students and others who reforms to the current procedures and issues relevant to Black people in more were denied attendance at other institutions, processes by funding bodies and academic general conversations. today represent about 3% of all of the institutes, which are highly biased against USA’s higher-education institutions — this marginalized groups. Disparities exist not Building a better future small number and their somewhat modest only in selection processes for postgraduate Although the moral obligation should resources, however, don’t reflect their level studies, but also in academic be sufficient to prompt change, importance in the US higher-education appointments and in research funding perhaps progress in racial equality in system. To mention just one aspect, more allocations (https://go.nature.com/2LbUr3j). higher-education institutes can mainly be than a third of Black students who were The recent attribution of £4.3 million worth accelerated by tangible incentives (including awarded a PhD in STEM between 2005 of funding from UK research and innovation financial), mirroring the promising and 2010 had earned their undergraduate (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health improvement towards gender balance that degree at an HBCU (https://go.nature. Research (NIHR) to explore COVID-19 was observed in UK academic institutes after com/3shdv0O). and its disproportionate impact on Black, Athena SWAN awards were linked to NIHR Another notable organization is the Asian and minoritized ethnic communities Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) funding. National Organization for the Professional — none of which were awarded to Black Institutions could only receive NIHR–BRC Advancement of Black Chemists and principal investigators — led ten academic funding if they had earned the Silver Award Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), which Black women to write an open letter to of the Athena SWAN Charter for Women supports the education and professional UKRI, addressing research inequality in Science, showing that funding bodies can development of Black students and (https://go.nature.com/3s7ihxA). Since then, exert a real influence in this manner55. professionals (https://www.nobcche.org/ six further projects have been announced True racial equality commitments need home). The American Chemical Society (https://go.nature.com/3q9vJz8). to come from leaders and departmental (ACS) also has its own ‘Committee on In 2019, UKRI started releasing some heads within universities (https://www.leru. Minority Affairs’ (ChemDiversity), focused data on the age, disability, ethnicity and org/files/LERU-EDI-paper_final.pdf). It is on supporting career development and gender of the recipients of some of their hard to believe that a meaningful change recognition opportunities, and empowering grants. Though more granular data is will occur without leaders and senior chemists from underrepresented groups needed, the report reflected lower levels academics being educated on systemic (https://www.chemdiversity.org/). In the UK, of research funding award rates for racism and diversity values, listening to the RSC plays a major role in diversity and academics from marginalized backgrounds the experiences of students and staff from inclusion activities by conducting surveys (https://go.nature.com/3nzqBmr). Black and other marginalized groups and and compiling diversity reports, amongst Recently, UKRI has announced an being willing to discuss inequality issues.

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The author declares no competing interests.

106 Nature Chemistry | VOL 13 | February 2021 | 101–106 | www.nature.com/naturechemistry