Diversity in Science

 

Diversity in Science

The pursuit of scientific knowledge has led to countless discoveries and innovations that have transformed our society for the better. However, it's important to acknowledge that the scientific community is not immune to the same issues that plague society as a whole, including issues of diversity and inclusivity.

Diversity in science refers to the need for a more equitable representation of individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives in the scientific community. Historically, science has been dominated by white, male voices, which has led to a lack of diversity in research topics, methodologies, and perspectives. This lack of diversity can have significant consequences, including perpetuating biases and limiting scientific progress.

One of the main benefits of diversity in science is that it leads to a broader range of research questions and perspectives. When people from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle scientific problems, they bring different experiences, ideas, and approaches to the table. This can lead to more innovative solutions and a better understanding of complex problems.

Moreover, diversity in science can help to address the issue of scientific bias. Unconscious biases can affect everything from the questions we ask to the way we interpret data. When the scientific community lacks diversity, these biases can become entrenched and limit our ability to uncover new knowledge. By embracing diversity in science, we can begin to identify and address these biases and create a more inclusive and equitable scientific community.

Unfortunately, the scientific community has historically been exclusive, particularly for marginalized groups, including women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This lack of diversity can have real-world consequences, particularly in areas like medicine and public health, where research findings have a direct impact on people's lives.

To address this issue, many scientific organizations and institutions have implemented diversity initiatives to recruit and retain underrepresented groups in science. These initiatives include targeted outreach programs, mentorship opportunities, and funding support for scientists from underrepresented groups. Additionally, some institutions have implemented blind-review processes for grant applications and publications to reduce the impact of unconscious bias in decision-making.

As we move forward, it's critical that we continue to prioritize diversity in science. We must work to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue scientific careers and that all voices are heard in scientific research. This includes not only increasing the representation of underrepresented groups but also creating a more inclusive scientific culture where all individuals feel welcome and valued.

Diversity in science is critical for promoting innovation, addressing biases, and creating a more equitable scientific community. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, we can work together to advance scientific progress and ensure that science benefits everyone.

The future will be better if we all work together. If you know of a group, organization, or resource that should be added to the list below, please let us know.

Alliance for Diversity in Science and Engineering - to increase the participation of underrepresented groups

Black in AI - to increase the presence of Black people in the field of Artificial Intelligence

Black in Robotics - To bring together Black researchers, industry professionals and students in robotics to mutually support one another

Black Girls Code - empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17

Black Women in Computational Biology Network - Black womxn voices in the computational life sciences

Building Diversity in Science - to inspire, empower and support underrepresented groups students in the pursuit of STEM careers

Diversity in Computer Science - Code.org

Diversity Gaps in Computer Science - Gallup

Diversity Alliance for Science - promoting the economic growth of diverse businesses

Diversity in science - The Royal Society

The Tech Talent Charter - Commitment by organisations to deliver greater diversity in the tech workforce of the UK

Women in Science - FFA

Diversity in Science Articles and Web Sites

• I search the internet daily for new articles from around the world that interest me or I think will interest you. My hope is that it saves you time or helps students with their assignments. Listed by most recent first. Hit NEXT button for more articles

• Are we doing enough for women of colour in science? from EuroNews

• This Black Artist Is Using Farming to Heal Herself — and the Land from Capital B

• Opinion: Including researchers of diverse backgrounds makes science more accurate and applicable from The San Diego Union-Tribune

• 500 Queer Scientists: Increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility in STEM one story at a time from American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• A call to cite Black women and gender minorities from Symmetry

• Why diversity, equity, and inclusion matter in science from Australian National University

• AI in medicine needs to be carefully deployed to counter bias – and not entrench it from NPR

• Scientists Are Finally Capturing the Genetic Diversity of Humanity from Gizmodo

• Non-White scientists appear on fewer editorial boards, spend more time under review, and receive fewer citations from PNAS

• 9-year-old Black prodigy has already begun college – but schools often fail to recognize highly talented Black students from The Conversation

• The future of Black women in STEM from Daily Sundial

• IFLScience Meets: Grace, Virtual Avatar For Underrepresented Groups in STEM from IFL Science

• Unlocking potential from UCI

• How introductory courses deter minority students from STEM degrees from Phys.org

• Obstacles still exist for women in science, but this young researcher is breaking the mould from World Economic Forum

• How to Fix The Minority STEM Crisis from Washington Monthly

• Space for Humanity website. 'Expanding access to space for all of humanity'.

• The STEM City USA website bridges the digital gap for millions of underserved through community and education.

• How your race, class and gender influence your dreams for the future from The Conversation

• NASA report finds vast diversity leadership gap, suggests solutions from The University of Iowa

• He dropped out of school to learn robotics. Now he's teaching STEM across Ghana from CNN

• Royal Society of Chemistry report says racism pervasive from BBC News

• UCLA Newsroom posted She’s a catalyst: UCLA graduate student helped build a system that nurtures Black scientists

• Lack of diversity in AI development causes serious real-life harm for people of color from NPR

• PEW posted What It Means to Be Black in Science: Pew Scholars’ Experiences

• Inclusion Drives Innovation at JPL video

• Visually Impaired People at University website

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Science Howard Hughes Medical Institute video

• Space in Africa posted SPARC to Inspire a Generation of Young People in Kenya

• SmallCapNews posted 3D Alternative Science for Kids – El Sol de Cuernavaca

• Building A Shark Science Community For Women Of Color from NPR

• Mission Equity: Making NASA Accessible to All video

• For neuroscientists, a checklist for eliminating gender bias from UC Berkeley

• Why science shouldn’t be colorblind from Baylor College of Medicine

• Some medical devices don’t mean to be racist, but they are from Psyche

• 3 ways schools can improve STEM learning for Black students from The Conversation

• How I realized that LGBT+ scientists like me can inspire others in their field from Massive Science

• Sending science majors into elementary schools helps Latino and Black students realize scientists can look like them from The Conversation

• Inside Higher Ed posted New data highlight minorities and women in science, along with one particularly understudied group: scientists with disabilities

• BBC News ‘Not built for minorities to succeed’: black scientists on academia’s race problem

• New Indigenous media lab at University of Winnipeg to help creators combine art and technology from CBC News

• The Conversation posted Racial stereotypes drive students of color away from STEM, but many still persist

• Space.com posted Contest Aims to Fly Openly LGBTQ+ Scientist-Astronaut in Space

• Stanford University posted We See You: Why America Must Invest in Young Adults of Color

• Indigeneous seed banks to help preserve culture and protect the environment from Ensia

• Students need not be in West to be successful or recognised: UAE-based Astrophysicist from Khaleej Times

• Racial stereotypes drive students of color away from STEM, but many still persist from the Conversation

• Tufts Now posted Closing the Opportunity Gap in STEM Education

• Diversity in science ‘crucial’: essay - unsw.edu.au

• Celebrating Black excellence in neuro-related fields - blackinneuro.com

• Black Women Shark Scientists Create Network to Encourage People of Color - ecowatch.com

• Meet Pamela E. Harris, Mexican-American mathematician and educator - massivesci.com

• This Grad Hopes To Pave The Way For Other Women Of Color - wbez.org

• These Latinas Are Changing The World With Their Groundbreaking Inventions In Science, Technology, And Engineering - wearemitu.com

• Bertha Parker, the trailblazing first Indigenous North American archaeologist, taught herself how to excavate a site - massivesci.com

• An ongoing conversation on diversity in science - thevarsity.ca

• Why the 2019 Nobel Prizes in STEM struggled with diversity - pbs.org

• STEM’s female factor: Changing lives, boosting economies, building the future - Microsoft

• Achieving Liftoff: Black Women in Star Ships - USBE Information Technology

• Melinda Gates Tells David Letterman It's Important That Women and People of Color Are Designing Our Future - Hollywood Reporter

• Minorities face challenges in securing STEM jobs - Charlottesville Tomorrow

• UC Santa Barbara welcomes a new cohort of doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds - University of California, Santa Barbara

• 8 pioneering black women in science, technology and medicine - Mother Nature Network

• ‘Staggering’ lack of diversity in tech leadership, report reveals - Engineering and Technology

• Division of Diversity and Inclusion Summer Experience - Youtube (1:17)

• 10 Incredible Black Women In Stem - Black Enterprise

• Here are four myths about diversity in science - Pacific Standard

• The evidence is in: greater gender diversity in science benefits us all - The Conversation

• Boosting Science with Diversity - PBS