A new initiative aimed at improving diversity within the compound semiconductor sector has been announced by the CS Hub, in collaboration with REWIRE‑IKC and the National Epitaxy Facility.
The partnership will launch a pilot study to investigate barriers to increasing diversity within the semiconductor research workforce, with a particular focus on technical roles across the field. The study represents part of a broader effort to strengthen inclusion and representation within a sector that is critical to advancing next‑generation technologies.
The CS Hub said the project will examine challenges affecting both recruitment and retention of diverse talent, seeking to better understand why certain groups remain underrepresented in semiconductor research and related technical careers.
The scope of the study will include a wide range of semiconductor activities, including work involving materials and devices across theory, design, modelling, fabrication, characterisation, and experimental research.
As part of the initiative, the partners will soon invite bids to carry out the study, engaging the research community in identifying and analysing the structural and cultural factors that may be limiting workforce diversity.
The findings will be compiled into a detailed report outlining the key barriers faced across the sector, along with evidence-based insights into how these challenges manifest at different career stages.
Crucially, the study is expected to go beyond diagnosis, delivering a set of practical recommendations and targeted interventionsdesigned to improve diversity outcomes. These interventions will subsequently be trialled, with the aim of developing scalable approaches that can be implemented across the semiconductor ecosystem.
The collaboration reflects a growing recognition within the UK’s semiconductor community that fostering a more diverse workforce is essential for ensuring innovation, resilience, and long-term growth in a globally competitive industry.
By combining expertise from across research, innovation, and facilities infrastructure, the CS Hub and its partners aim to build a stronger evidence base to support inclusive workforce development across the compound semiconductor sector.
