Breaking the Mould: How the Three Horizons Model Can Drive Inclusion in STEM Industries

The UK government's All Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has recently conducted investigations into the lack of diversity and inclusion in these fields. The findings reveal that there is still a significant lack of representation of underrepresented groups, particularly women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities, in STEM industries.

To address this issue, the All Party Parliamentary Group has outlined several recommendations for immediate action. These include increasing funding for outreach and mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, implementing unconscious bias training for hiring managers, and increasing the representation of underrepresented groups on recruitment panels.

However, learnings from the comprehensive paper "Building Routes to Scale" by Social Finance imply these recommendations only address the first horizon of the Three Horizons Model for Social Innovation, which is focused on addressing current issues and maintaining the status quo. To truly drive change and create a more inclusive STEM industry, it is essential to also address the second and third horizons.

The second horizon of the model focuses on exploring new possibilities and experimenting with new ideas. In the context of STEM diversity and inclusion, this could mean investing in research to understand the root causes of the lack of representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries and developing new, innovative solutions to address these issues.

The third horizon of the model focuses on creating a new future and scaling up successful solutions. In the context of STEM diversity and inclusion, this could mean implementing and scaling up successful programs and initiatives that have been shown to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries. The paper 'Building Routes to Scale' highlights that scaling up successful solutions is a complex process that requires a clear understanding of the ecosystem's barriers, enablers and key success factors.

One example of a social venture that could drive change in the STEM industry is RC Vision CIC. This social venture aims to use technology and innovation to improve the lives of people in marginalized communities. By providing access to resources and services that can help improve the quality of life for individuals and groups in underrepresented communities, RC Vision CIC can help to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM industries.

To change we must look at the third horizon

The findings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM reveal that there is still a significant lack of representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries. To truly drive change and create a more inclusive STEM industry, it is essential to address all three horizons of the Three Horizons Model for Social Innovation, including exploring new possibilities and experimenting with new ideas, and scaling up successful solutions. Social ventures like RC Vision CIC can play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM industries. As highlighted in the paper 'Building Routes to Scale', scaling up solutions is complex - it is important to have a clear understanding of the ecosystem's barriers, enablers and key success factors.

Open collaboration between businesses, social innovators, funders, and government can help.

Businesses can provide resources and expertise to support social innovators in developing and scaling up solutions to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries. They can also provide internships, mentorship, and job opportunities to individuals from underrepresented groups to increase their representation in the workforce.

Social innovations like RC Vision can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table; they can use their understanding of the root causes of the problem to develop effective and sustainable solutions to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries.

Funders can provide financial resources and support to social innovators to develop and scale up their solutions. They can also support research to understand the root causes of the lack of representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries.

Government can provide policy support and resources to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM industries. They can also provide funding to support social innovators, research and programs to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM.

By working together, businesses, social innovators, funders, and government can create a more inclusive STEM industry by addressing the current issues, exploring new possibilities, and creating a new future. This collaborative approach can help to ensure that solutions are sustainable, effective and have the potential to be scaled up.