Presenting Author University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles
The future and vitality of the scientific enterprise is dependent upon maximizing access and participation by a diverse talent pool. After decades of discussion and numerous programs aimed at diversifying the research environment at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, individuals from Black, Indigenous, and Latinx populations are still woefully underrepresented in STEM. Many of our current strategies have focused on programs that prepare individuals for a scientific environment that is, at best, agnostic to diversity and is, at its worst, hostile. Given the slow pace of progress with respect to racial and ethnic diversity in the sciences, it is crucial that we critically assess our strategies to date and examine more closely the culture of the environment we are expecting individuals from diverse backgrounds to navigate. I will discuss the current state of the approaches to diversify STEM disciplines, provide examples of successful strategies, and explore ways to move beyond incremental change to systemic cultural transformation.
Support or Funding Information
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (52008140 and 52008716 ); NIGMS (GM05474-10)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (52008140 and 52008716 );
