The power of Diversity and Antiracism in Science
Science is the systematic study of the natural world, aiming to discover fundamental principles that govern the universe. It is a crucial tool for understanding the complexities of our world and improving the human condition. We pride ourselves on our intellectual ability to think outside the box, and for a lot of reasons, this is well warranted. However, the scientific community is not always diverse nor systematic, or intelligent; we are human, and as such, biases influence research outcomes all the time. The importance of diversity and antiracism in science is important, now more than ever, and we owe it to ourselves and our community to understand why.
Diversity in the scientific community promotes innovation and creativity. When people from different backgrounds come together to solve problems, they bring different perspectives and experiences, creating new ideas and approaches; potentially changing the world in the process. Diversity of thought breaks down and reforms traditional assumptions, creating new ways of thinking.
New ways of thinking transform research in and of itself, making it more inclusive and representative than ever before. The experiences and needs of everyone differ, although humans are of one species, our experiences are truly unique. Experiences come from different ways of being raised, by different cultures, or under starkly different circumstances, no two people are exactly alike. Considering a wide range of perspectives when designing research projects accounts for the complexity and uniqueness of every human on earth. For example, clinical trials often exclude women and minorities, leading to biased treatment recommendations (Geller, S.E., Koch, A., Pellettieri, B., Carnes, M., 2018). This means one group of people will benefit the most from medicine — that’s a slope we don’t want to head down. Trust me, its slippery.
V. Bala and Asmeret’s (2020) “Ten Simple Rules for Building an Antiracist Lab” emphasizes the importance of being aware of the ways that racism has impacted the field of science. It’s understandable that sometimes we just don’t consider other groups when designing research, old habits die hard though, and this means we must bring our awareness back by recognizing that scientific knowledge has often been shaped by the biases and assumptions of those in power. The recruitment and retention of scientists from underrepresented groups are essential for any truly forward-thinking lab. This isn’t a hard task; a lot of diversity can grow from small actions:
Actively seeking out diverse candidates for research positions, providing mentorship and support to underrepresented students, and creating welcoming and inclusive research environments are just a few ways diversity can flourish.
All these things require our attention and, like I said, sometimes controlling our attention, moving outside our box, is hard. It requires focus and discipline, that’s why we need to develop strategies.
Simple strategies, when practiced, become habits, and habits become how we think. If we strategize ways to bring attention to the minorities (such as the Black, Indigenous, and People of color; BIPOC) we change our thought patterns for the better. We can begin to do this with three simple strategies:
1. Seek out and amplify the work of BIPOC scientists. Too often, the voices of BIPOC scientists are marginalized or ignored in mainstream science writing. Science writers can help to counteract this by actively seeking out the work of BIPOC scientists and highlighting their contributions to the field.
2. Be mindful of language and framing. Language can have a powerful impact on how scientific research is perceived. Science writers should be mindful of the language they use when describing the work of BIPOC scientists and avoid framing their research in ways that reinforce stereotypes or biases. For example, sometimes we may feel we are being supportive by highlighting BIPOC work as exceptional, but this only implies a rarity that a person “like them” make important findings. This language reinforces stereotypes and perpetuates biases about certain groups. Instead, we should focus on the scientific merits of their work only.
3. Highlight the broader societal implications of scientific research. Science is not just an abstract pursuit; it has real-world implications for people's lives. Science writers can help to promote the work of BIPOC scientists by highlighting how their research has the potential to improve the lives of people from diverse backgrounds.
Overall, diversity and antiracism in the scientific community are critical for promoting innovation. Humanity has the unique ability to think outside the box, but we often lose focus and grow comfortable inside it. To ensure that science is a tool for improving the human condition, rather than a tool to improve only the select few, we must always demand the absolute best from each other. When warranted or needed, we must never hesitate to shift our focus to a new box.
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