The Explorers Programme

The Explorers Programme is a three year programme that aims to encourage and support people from Black, Asian, Arab and other racially marginalised backgrounds into careers in Earth, environmental and ecological sciences. 

The future of our planet rests in the dynamic relationship between humans and the natural environment. Everyone should have the right to access and enjoy the natural environment and be supported into a career in natural history for their own passion and interest, however there is clear evidence that the Earth, environmental and ecological sector is not accessible or inclusive. 

Environmental sector is underrepresented by those from Black, Asian and other non-white background. The Policy Exchange 2017 report, The Two Sides of Diversity, revealed that environmental professionals was the second least ethnically diverse occupation.

This underrepresentation is a consequence of systemic barriers related to race and ethnicity that can occur in schools, workplace or societally. 

The Explorers programme is an initiative that explores ways that the Natural History Museum can encourage and support people from Black, Asian, Arab and other racialised backgrounds into careers in the Natural History sector.

Discover careers in Earth, Environmental and Ecological Sciences

The programme runs events and resources tailored to the type of support they would need at different stages of their education and career.

If you are a Person of Colour or interested in supporting people of colour going into the Natural History sector, please read on for more information.