Chief Executive Officer, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Women In STEM: Dr. Helen Pain On Achieving Equity Through Data And Allyship
Data and allyship are powerful tools for driving equity in STEM. In this episode, Dr. Helen Pain shares her journey and explores ...
About Helen Pain
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), has continued to engage with early career researchers and advocate for inclusion and diversity in STEM. In November 2024, she spoke to PhD students at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, discussing the changing publishing landscape, the importance of communicating research, and career opportunities outside academia. Pain told the students that publishing during a PhD is not always possible and that this "is not a reflection on the student." She also addressed a comment made during her own PhD that pursuing a doctorate meant choosing not to have a family, calling that notion "absolute nonsense" and noting that she has two sons who studied chemistry. Pain has also highlighted the RSC's work on equity and data-driven change. In a 2024 podcast, she described a turning point when the RSC decided to publish uncomfortable findings about workplace culture in chemistry, saying a colleague told her to "be brave" and that "we've got the evidence, we've got the data therefore we publish." She has credited her school chemistry teacher, Dr Sheila Cousins, with inspiring her career, and noted that her first boss at the RSC, Jane Sutton, gave her the initial opportunity. Pain also chairs the Technician Commitment Steering Board, which she said has secured over 100 signatory institutions and unlocked millions of pounds in investment for technical roles in higher education and research.
Transcript (40 segments)
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Helen Pain0:00
I think back on that night now gosh imagine if we said let's not publish because it's too difficult. That was the night Jules told me to be brave. We had the evidence and the data, so we published. It felt uncomfortable, but that was the turning point where we started to make a difference.
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Host0:23
So what do you think were the catalysts behind these movements in the RSC?
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Helen Pain0:29
When I had been here a couple of years, the chief executive Tom saw my PhD in chemistry and invited me to do the RSC's first annual review. The ad hoc feedback from the test share highlighted uncomfortable issues around culture and how individuals were treated in the workplace. It was clear we needed to act because once you know something, you have to change. The lack of progression of females in academia showed imbalance. Publishing was uncomfortable but necessary.
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Host1:42
This is the Equity in STEM podcast, sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry, where we hold conversations about race representation in STEM with the greatest minds in industry and academia.
Hello and welcome to the Equity in STEM podcast. I'm Alisar and I'm CL. Today we are here at Burlington House. Our distinguished guest has a BSc in chemistry and a PhD from Exeter, over 30 years at the RSC, is a Chartered Scientist and Fellow, and was appointed MBE for services to science. Today I am joined by Dr. Helen Pain.
Amazing, how are you doing?
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Helen Pain3:46
Well, I'm good, thank you. I feel very privileged to be here.
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Host3:57
Privileged to have you. Shall we get straight into it? We're going to rewind to your background growing up in Little Chum. What was it like?
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Helen Pain4:32
My dad was in the Navy, so I moved schools a lot. By secondary school I wanted to stay put. I loved school and people. I remember the pie factory near my primary school—the smell was horrific and pushed me toward vegetarianism. So that's my great memory: the smell of my chartered school.
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Host6:28
I like that. My dad was also in the Navy, so similar experiences. Do you think that opened you up to different cultures? My dad was away for months, sending letters from all over the world with illustrations. That gave me early exposure to different traditions.
What made you pick chemistry?
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Helen Pain8:34
I had an inspirational teacher, Dr. Cousins, who was a deputy head and later head teacher, with a PhD in chemistry. On my first day of A-levels I switched from geography to chemistry to continue with her. That led me to study chemistry and math at Exeter, and I ended up doing single chemistry. Role models were key.
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Host11:18
Role models are powerful. Did your love for school continue through university and PhD?
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Helen Pain12:14
Yes, I enjoyed learning and being with people. I had long-term goals. Through my PhD I realized teamwork motivated me. I didn't feel academia was inviting, but Professor Ed Abel showed me a career in chemistry through community building. I told my supervisor I wanted to work for the RSC and organize conferences.
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Host14:48
You went straight from your bachelor's to a PhD. Many students ask: to PhD or not to PhD? Any advice?
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Helen Pain15:53
When I did it, it was the normal route—no M Chem existed. I tried for industry roles with ICI, Mobil, BP, but they all said come back in three years, so a PhD was the steer. I advise: do a PhD if you enjoy learning and problem-solving, and accept that not everything goes well. It builds resilience. Alternatively, you can go into industry and return to a PhD later. Be true to yourself. A PhD teaches you writing, communication, and networking. I was lucky to publish six papers and even had some republished by the RSC in memory of my supervisor.
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Host20:39
You joined the RSC almost full circle and have been here over 30 years. What has kept you here?
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Helen Pain21:19
I think my childhood of moving made me want to stick. I came thinking three years, but I was with my community and subject. Each time I thought of moving, a new opportunity arose. The RSC has transformed over the years, with continual change. In the last 10–15 years, I saw the possibility of reaching a senior role, and that kept me going. Being part of an organization with legacy and history, while contributing to its future, is exciting.
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Host23:52
You mentioned creating opportunities. What skills helped you move upward?
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Helen Pain24:18
I often say yes when people ask for help. For example, the chief executive invited me to do the RSC's first annual review, which taught me about the whole organization. I took on projects outside my comfort zone, like managing the benevolent fund, which taught me that big decisions can be made quickly while small decisions deserve care. Those experiences built my skills.
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Host26:59
This is the Equity in STEM podcast, so about gender equity too. The RSC seems to have made strides in gender representation in leadership. What is behind that?
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Helen Pain27:40
It hasn't always been like that. There was a conscious decision to use evidence and data. Breaking the Barriers report showed strong anecdotal feedback about culture. I remember a night when our head of comms, Jules, told me to be brave and publish. That was the turning point. We had brave leadership from presidents like Lesley. That commitment moved to gender and then to other aspects of diversity.
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Host31:28
Bravery is key. Can you talk about your experience with allyship?
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Helen Pain32:28
The concept of allyship has come to me personally in recent years. I've always listened and been curious about people. A colleague, Penny, helped me realize that lived experiences differ. I can't assume I have all the answers. Allyship is about listening, understanding, and taking action. It's about creating a culture where people are allies and turning language into action.
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Host34:28
Let's touch on the Missing Elements report. As a Black chemist, that report was enlightening. Why was it put together and what did it highlight?
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Helen Pain34:59
Building on Breaking the Barriers, we saw we needed to focus on Black chemists and minoritized ethnicities. The data showed stark underrepresentation. We published the report with explicit findings and clear actions. The pivotal moment was Robert Mokaya sharing his story—it was powerful and shocking. When I was interviewed by the BBC, I learned he had received research funding but hadn't disclosed that. We set up our Race Unit with £1 million in funding, and now Clive, our Race Unit lead, is driving the work. Still a long way to go, but we have a clear action plan.
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Host39:42
Thank you. And speaking of Robert, check out episode one for his full story. Now, final question: what is your proudest achievement?
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Helen Pain40:24
My proudest moment is personal. Around 2008, I was given the opportunity to lead the refurbishment of our library in Burlington House. It was outside my comfort zone—working with architects and engineers, fundraising. We created a beautiful space that brings people together to network and share knowledge. The first Waring Horizons event in the library, with scholars and industry, showed that we had reinvented the space for its purpose—inclusive and accessible for the future of chemistry.
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Host43:15
That's lovely. And a few quick questions: favorite food?
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Helen Pain43:55
Easy: pasta with pesto and cheese. Incredible.
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Host44:05
Favorite quote or expression?
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Helen Pain44:08
My favorite quote is 'where a world away'.
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Host44:17
Hobbies?
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Helen Pain44:21
I don't really have hobbies. I do a lot of work with other organizations. If I had another career, I'd be an architect—I love interior architecture. That's why the library was so important to me.
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Host44:54
Least favorite STEM subject?
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Helen Pain44:57
I would say physical chemistry, even though I was good at it. I just didn't follow it. But all subjects are important.
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Host45:27
What animal represents you?
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Helen Pain45:38
A giraffe. It defies everything—when it runs, it does the splits. It just defies everything.
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Host46:13
Solid. We're going to wrap up now. Thank you so much for this. We like to pay people their flowers. Here's a small something.
Thank you to all our audience and watchers. This is the season finale. Let us know what you thought. I'm Alisar and this has been the Equity in STEM podcast season one. Peace and blessings.