While Naomi Campbell and Iman battle to have more models of
colour on the runway during major fashion shows there is a campaign to get more
women of colour in the beauty industry. Cosmetic Chemistry Connections is a new
initiative launching on October 30 that has been set up to encourage young women
from disadvantaged backgrounds to study chemistry at University.
We live in a beauty obsessed world which is ruled by
advances in beauty products and treatments where not a week goes by without the
launch of a new anti-ageing cream or Botox treatment. Unfortunately this is not
reflected in the classroom where girls trail behind boys in STEM (science, technology,
engineering) subjects.
Cosmetic Chemistry Connections is the brainchild of Madeka
Panchoo, Managing Director of 33 Boroughs Consultancy Ltd which specialises in corporate
responsibility programmes. Working with Generating Genius, a charity, that
works with high achieving students from disadvantaged communities, the
programme aims to encourage girls aged 16+ from the BME (black and minority
ethnic) community to pursue a career in chemistry. It is supported by brands
such as L’Oreal, Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Yves Rocher.
Generating Genius was founded by Dr Tony Sewell, an
education commentator and former teacher who has been widely published. “Chemistry
is everywhere,” says Dr Sewell. “It certainly dominates the cosmetic industry
where chemical products are produced and consumed in what is a billion pound
industry. Students are often unaware just how chemistry is used in creating
even the most basic of products. We will be attracting technical, branding and
retail aspects of the cosmetic industry to meet its future talent.”
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“I am really excited to be working on such a positive
project,” says Madeka Panchoo. “I feel very passionate about the aims of
Cosmetic Chemistry Connections and its role in empowering young women and
making them more confident about their skills in a science subject." Research by
the Royal Society of Chemistry has found that despite having a taste for
science, a low proportion of girls go on to study subjects such as biology,
physics and chemistry at degree level. This is worrying for the nation because
these subjects are fundamental to the growth of the country and the state of
the economy.
Drawing on the knowledge that girls react more positively to
science subjects when they are presented in a user friendly way, Cosmetic Chemistry
Connections aims to show the students the connections between beauty and
science, how chemistry impacts their everyday life and the options opened up to
them with a chemistry degree.
Cosmetic Chemistry Connections will launch on Wednesday
October 30that Christ the King College in London with a pilot where 25 students
will work in a lab for one day to create their own beauty product and learn all
about the chemistry processes involved. They will work on the life cycle of
these products from lab to shelf and learn about the sustainability issues
involved. They will work closely with cosmetic chemists, contract manufacturers,
scientists and marketers who will be involved in the programme.
Subject to funding, the main programme will start in Spring
2014 with workshops looking at chemistry and hair products and colour
cosmetics. The programme will culminate with summer work placements, mentoring,
interview preparation and personal presentation advice.
For more information and images please contact Madeka Panchoo
on 07855696262 or madeka.panchoo@33boroughs.com
Editors Notes:
Generating Genius was founded by Dr Tony Sewell in 2005 with
the vision of working with high-achieving students from disadvantaged
communities throughout their secondary school careers to help them acquire the
skills they need to win places at top universities. Generating Genius alumni in
turn become mentors to course participants, feeding their experience back into
the programmes.
Dr Sewell is currently Chair of governors of STEM Academy Trust,
which has just launched its first free school in Islington called STEM Academy
– Tech City – a STEM focused sixth form. He was also Chair of the Mayor’s Education
Inquiry.
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