This article argues that improving gender and ethnic diversity among students enrolled in animal studies at UK higher education institutions is crucial for promoting equitable education, professional practice and animal welfare. Animal studies refer to all animal-related courses within two main subject areas: veterinary sciences and agriculture, food and related studies including animal science. Within animal studies, gender and ethnic diversity are under researched and except for veterinary medicine and nursing, no research exists for other animal courses. Thus, the article underscores the systemic underrepresentation of male gender and ethnically diverse students across all UK animal studies, extending the discussion beyond veterinary sciences, while highlighting intersecting barriers requiring intervention. • Underrepresentation of male and ethnically diverse students in UK animal studies. • Lack of research on underrepresentation in UK non-veterinary animal studies. • Barriers include lack of awareness, role models, discrimination and financial issues.
Ugwu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.