Introduction
The United States is a country of diversity, and it’s a shame that the STEM fields are not.
The lack of diversity in the scientific community leaves minority scientists out of the conversation. They face obstacles to getting into and succeeding in science-related careers that white men don’t have to think about.
But there’s hope. Minority scientists are an important part of our society, and they deserve access to the same opportunities as other scientists.
Minority Scientists Need to Speak Out
It’s vital for there to be more minority scientists writing about their experiences as minorities in the field.
Diversity in STEM is a major problem, but it’s one that’s been brought to light recently by several prominent people in the field. But despite all the attention it has received, there are few articles written by people from underrepresented groups describing their experiences in these fields.
Minority Scientists: You Have a Story to Tell
The critical next step is to talk about these things openly, but not just in casual conversation or on Twitter. Think of your experiences as a minority in the STEM field as material for writing for public audiences, whether that be on your personal blog or in op-eds. Share your story with respected media outlets and well-known publications. Write from your heart, and people will resonate with it and be motivated by it.
Writing about these issues won’t always be easy, but it’s important to do so nonetheless. As minority scientists continue to share their experiences, the culture at large will become more accepting of them, and we’ll all begin to see the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.
Discrimination In The Scientific Workplace Is Still Very Much A Part Of Reality
You may not want to believe this, but discrimination in the scientific workplace is still very much a part of reality. Despite the strides made by minorities and women over the past 50 years, they are still being overlooked for promotions and prestigious awards in favor of their white male counterparts.
There are plenty of examples of discrimination from recent years. Research has shown that Black scientists receive a smaller portion of grant money than white scientists do. Additionally, Black scientists are about half as likely as white scientists to get their papers published in prestigious journals. Furthermore, female professors have been found to be more frequently interrupted by male colleagues during class lectures than the reverse.
Without Consistent Representation, Those Looking To Enter The Field Won’t Feel Welcome
It’s important to understand that representation matters. In the United States, African-American and Hispanic students are earning more undergraduate degrees in science, technology, and mathematics than ever before. Yet they make up such a small percentage of the graduate student body in many of these fields that they may feel isolated from day one. Minority scientists face an uphill battle for a variety of reasons, including the fact that white men still dominate the field.
Given these trends, it’s vital for members of underrepresented groups to write about their experiences for other potential scientists — especially women. In recent years, several black scientists — including Shirley Jackson (president emeritus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Neil deGrasse Tyson (director of the Hayden Planetarium) and Johnnetta Betsch Cole (anthropologist) — have written memoirs recounting their experiences as minority scientists. These books can make any scientist feel better understood while providing insights on overcoming obstacles faced during one’s academic journey.
We Need To Hear More About Minorities’ Experiences In Science
That goes for the supportive mentors who are always available and accessible, the colleagues who are easily your friends, the academic institutions that don’t make you feel like an outsider, and everyone else on campus. These elements of inclusion in science can be as simple as recognizing someone’s ethnic food at a lunch meeting, or as complex as having a safe space to talk about sexual harassment or other abuse.
To truly make science better for everyone, we need more voices speaking up about what inclusion really looks and feels like, so we can all learn from their experiences and make sure they never happen again.
Minority Scientists Struggle to Find Research Collaborators
The lack of research collaborators can often force minority scientists to struggle.
This can be due, in part, to the fact that there are many more white scientists than there are minorities who pursue careers in STEM fields. It’s hard to succeed in science when you don’t have anyone to collaborate with, this puts their career advancement at risk.
Blog Conclusion
The most important thing we can do as a society is to encourage more diversity in science.
We need more minority scientists, but we also need more women and other groups represented in science. We need to make sure every kid has access to an education and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Science should be everyone’s business, not just those who have been lucky enough to be born into it.