Dr Jennifer Leigh, Reader in Creative Practices for Social Justice in the School of Social Sciences, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2025 Inclusion and Diversity Prize for her exceptional contribution to improving the accessibility, inclusivity and diversity of the chemical science community.
The award follows Dr Leigh’s inclusion in the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 late last year. The RSC award further recognises her exceptional and innovative interdisciplinary research which is addressing and highlighting systemic discrimination, and amplifying underrepresented groups to create intersectional and inclusive research cultures in science.
Underpinned by her therapeutic training, Dr Leigh’s research focuses on using embodied, reflective, and creative practices for social justice. Recent examples include her work with Dr Jennifer Tullet to explore how reflective practice can support Kent PhD students in the life sciences and her research for the International WISC (Women in Supramolecular Chemistry) network initiated by Professor Jennifer Hiscock to support the retention and career progression of women and other marginalised groups in the field. Dr Leigh has worked extensively to support opportunities for women in the Global South, collaborating and advising the NGO Empowering Female Minds in STEMM who support women studying and working in science and technology across Africa.
As well as improving support for postgraduate students and staff, she is inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. Kent PhD student Mariam Yacoub, for instance, is exploring lived experiences of belonging in the physical sciences under the supervision of Dr Leigh and Professor Hiscock. Mariam led on the analysis of research data Dr Leigh gathered capturing the impact of being a first generation student on career progression in science.
Dr Leigh is also a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity nationally. She contributes to a number of networks including her role as co-lead for the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks STEMM Action Group, through which she has recently collaborated on a White Paper (which is being launched by Wellcome on 17th September) advising how individuals and organisations can support a fully inclusive environment in STEMM for disabled people.
Find out more about Dr Leigh’s work and wider initiatives at Kent to make science more inclusive.