Why Quantum Needs Diversity: Part 3

Author - Stuart Woods

For the third segment in this diversity in quantum series in which I have spoken to industry leaders QED-C, TechUK, Quantum Motion and NQCC, this week I caught up with Alex Challans from UKQuantum and Pippa Sharma from the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

We are hearing time and again that diversity in the quantum industry is the pivot point upon which social, commercial and technical success is perched – Pippa and Alex reiterated these ideas, emphasising that diverse teams increase innovative thinking, regardless of the problem-solving capabilities of individual team members. In other words, studies show that it is diversity, not individual ability, which determines team performance.

We delved deeper into some of the initiatives currently being implemented to encourage diversity – in the quantum industry but also in its investment landscape. We spoke about how international partnerships and fast track schemes which make it as easy as possible for researchers to come to the UK will not only strengthen quantum’s status globally, but will help the UK to maintain its position at the forefront of quantum innovation.

“Vocational training for quantum will grow in importance as the sector scales. Research by the Institute of Physics has shown that more than 50% of physics-based jobs do not require a degree, suggesting the scale at which technician skills are required. As part of the strategy we are therefore looking at how the quantum sector could leverage existing government initiatives around apprenticeships, T-Levels and the Institutes of Technology.” - Pippa (BEIS)

In addition to this, collaboration between companies and like-minded countries will enable more women to capitalise on the professional networks at the heart of the industry - the Quantum Women and Women in Quantum programs help women achieve their full professional potential. As we have discussed in previous entries in this series, diversity is so essential in the industry because the teams developing quantum now will identify how society can benefit from quantum technology in the future. This means we need society to be represented in the industry – not forgetting, as one example of many, the fact that half of that society is female.

Stuart: Why is a diverse workforce so important to the commercial success of the quantum industry?

UKQuantum: “A diverse workforce is important in any industry where we need to bring the best and brightest minds to solve complex problems. STEM-related markets such as quantum currently have low levels of diversity and are areas where we need to focus our attention. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a more diverse team is more likely to outperform a more homogenous team—even when the homogenous team is considered to have ‘relatively greater ability’ as individuals than the more diverse group. We should also ensure we are providing equality of opportunity for those who want to enter such industries.”

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “First, let me say how much importance we put on the success of the UK quantum industry as a whole – quantum technologies have such huge potential that will be essential to the UK’s future prosperity. The Quantum Strategy that we will publish later this year will set out a clear picture of that.

The success of quantum relies on a continued focus on developing the most innovative solutions. Research has shown that diversity breeds innovation, so aside from the societal impact we’d be missing a trick if we did not recognise its contribution towards commercial success.

Quantum itself is a very diverse area – we need experts across fields of physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science etc, as well as domain expertise across all the potential applications from healthcare to car batteries. The diversity of the field needs to be matched with a diversity of thought, and we will only get this if we have people bringing a range of backgrounds and perspectives.”

Stuart: What is BEIS doing to support diversity? Are there any existing initiatives that are worth sharing?

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “There are a number of existing initiatives which BEIS leads or supports to improve diversity. The R&D People & Culture Strategy, published last year, has a vision for ‘a more inclusive, dynamic, productive and sustainable UK R&D sector in which a diversity of people and ideas can thrive’. It sets out some of the activities to achieve this, including conducting a review into youth engagement to improve diversity, and supporting the establishment of clear guidelines for tackling bullying and harassment.

BEIS funding via Research England helped to set up the Newton Venture Program, which aims to train the next generation of venture investors across the innovation ecosystem, with a mission to make the venture landscape more diverse, inclusive and representative of the population it serves. Diverse investors could have a positive trickle down effect across the whole ecosystem, including the quantum workforce.

In quantum specifically, the Women in Quantum initiative is a great example of the community coming together to create more opportunities for collaboration and networking, with more than 9,000 members in 40+ countries.”

Stuart: What initiatives are needed to drive greater industry diversity?

UKQuantum: “There are a number of initiatives already operating in quantum, such as Quantum Women. This is a professional network of current and rising women leaders in quantum tech in Australia, the organisation’s vision is to see every woman working in quantum tech and quantum-adjacent fields achieve their full professional potential. Growing such initiatives will be important in providing equality of opportunity across groups.”

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “There is the perception that you need a PhD in quantum to work in the industry, and while doctoral training is hugely important, it can be off-putting in attracting a diverse talent pool. As the sector scales, we need to ensure there are a range of entry points to working in quantum to both facilitate this growth and increase the diversity of the workforce. This requires understanding how transitions can be made from other sectors, the role of Masters and short courses, the role of vocational training etc. Part of our role is to ensure that all government interventions on skills and talent embed diversity considerations from the outset to improve outcomes for all.”

Stuart: Is there anything else that you would add?

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “The Quantum Strategy will set out the government’s approach to skills and talent across the quantum ecosystem, including diversity considerations.”

Stuart: Do we already have the skills or educational levels that we need to support the quantum ecosystem?

UKQuantum: “With its premier research and education institutions, the United Kingdom is a world leader in the quantum technology industry. Nonetheless, in order to continue to have a strong competitive position internationally we will need to continue to invest in skills across all levels.”

Stuart: Do you see a place for the apprentice programs in the UK or the community college system in the US being leveraged to provide skills for quantum growth?

UKQuantum: “There are mixed feelings on the efficacy of apprentice programs in the UK as they relate specifically to the quantum industry. Many roles require university level training and may not be appropriate. With that said, there are many jobs across the wider quantum supply chain that would benefit from apprentice programs.”

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “Vocational training for quantum will grow in importance as the sector scales. Research (p11) by the Institute of Physics has shown that more than 50% of physics-based jobs do not require a degree, suggesting the scale at which technician skills are required. Industry have told us that many of the vocational skills required for quantum are common across other deep tech sectors such as photonics. As part of the strategy we are therefore looking at how the quantum sector could leverage existing government initiatives around apprenticeships, T-Levels and the Institutes of Technology.”

Stuart: Do you believe that there should be free movement between like-minded countries involved in quantum?

Pippa Sharma (BEIS): “We believe that the flow of talent globally is necessary for top class innovation to take place in quantum science and technologies. The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme and wider quantum sector is already home to many international researchers. We are working with business through the quantum strategy process to remove barriers to attracting top global talent to the UK.

More broadly, we are opening our borders to top scientific talent to continue their careers in the UK. This includes measures announced in the UK Innovation Strategy (p60-61), including

• the High Potential Individual Route will make it as simple as possible for internationally mobile researchers to come to the UK,

• a scale-up route, which will allow talented individuals with an offer from a qualifying scale-up business to come to the UK;

• and a revitalised Innovator route, which will allow talented innovators and entrepreneurs to start and run their business in the UK that is either venture backed or innovative in the field of quantum technologies

International partnerships are essential to driving the development of quantum technologies and we are demonstrating our aim to work collaboratively with other countries through initiatives such as the US Joint Statement of Intent. We are exploring initiatives with other countries to promote global researchers spending time in the UK and vice versa. For example the following international summer school funding opportunity has recently been launched by EPSRC with Canada and the US: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/host-an-international-summer-school-in-quantum-technologies/”

Click here to explore the Working in Quantum campaign produced by Oxford Instruments NanoScience in partnership with the Quantum Insider, which explores some of these ideas about diversity from the perspective of industry experts, including Oxford Quantum Circuits, SEEQC, and Amazon Web Services.

*First published by Stuart Woods on LinkedIn