Introduction
The world is changing, and science is at the forefront of that change.
The people who are doing this work are changing too, but it doesn’t have to be in a bad way. As we become more aware of how much our work impacts everyone in the world, we need to make sure we’re doing it with an eye toward diversity and inclusion.
In order for us to create solutions for problems like climate change or antibiotic resistance, we need to be working on them together—and that means looking at the whole picture: who’s participating in research and development, what communities they come from, what perspectives they bring to the table, and how they can help each other achieve their goals.
Make Science More Diverse
We’re living in a time when science has never been more important — and yet, it’s also never been more misunderstood.
We all need to be able to trust what we read and what we hear about science, but unfortunately, that’s not always happening. The media often misrepresents scientific findings, leaving us with false ideas about what’s happening in the world.
And when it comes to diversity in science, this problem is even worse.
The truth is that there are many underrepresented groups in science — and those groups are missing out on opportunities for research funding and job opportunities because of their identities.
But there’s hope. There are ways we can make science more diverse so that it can better meet the needs of underserved communities.
Science Is for Everyone
We believe that everyone should have the chance to learn about science and the world around them, no matter who they are or where they come from.
That’s why we work hard to make sure all of our courses are available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We also value diversity, and we provide scholarships to students who would otherwise not be able to afford our courses.
Science Should Be More Diverse
You don’t have to look far to see that science needs more diversity. The history of science is full of examples where scientists made assumptions about the world based on their own experiences and training.
For example, early biologists thought that all organisms were descended from a single common ancestor because they looked similar (they believed homology was proof of common ancestry). But Darwin knew that many species had diverged from one another by evolving separately from ancestors with different traits (he saw convergent evolution as proof of variation within species).
It isn’t just about changing our ideas about nature — it’s also about affecting how we interact with each other as humans. If we only collaborate with people who share our backgrounds and interests, then we miss out on opportunities for new knowledge and innovation. And if our research focuses only on people who look like us or come from similar backgrounds to ours, then it will be less relevant when it comes time for actionable results.
Science for the People
Science should be thought through from the perspective of underserved people not just benefit them. This is because science is a collective endeavor, and the community benefits when all members are engaged in the process. A diverse scientific community will make science better than it is today.
Moreover, we need to take diversity seriously in our approach to doing research, since this helps us address questions that are important for underrepresented groups. Science is for everyone, making sure there’s no bias in your research processes will help ensure you’re getting good results and make sure they’re applicable to as many people as possible.
Diversity Affects the Quality of Scientific Research
When it comes to science, diversity matters.
The importance of diversity in science has been widely discussed and well-documented — but what exactly does this mean?
Diversity means that the people doing scientific research are not the same as each other. They have different experiences, perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. These differences can help us see a problem from a new angle or approach an existing question in a different way than we would have otherwise done.
Minority Scientists Often Struggle to Find Research Collaborators
Science is for everyone, but minority scientists often struggle to find research collaborators. In an effort to help make science more accessible to everyone, here are some things we can do:
- Make sure your lab has an active diversity outreach program
- Encourage students from underrepresented groups to apply for internships and research positions in your lab
- Take the time to learn about the cultures of your colleagues, so that you can understand their perspective and have meaningful conversations with them
Conclusion
Science is for everyone, but it needs diversity to thrive.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to science careers and the steps you can take to get there. We know that not everyone will be able to pursue a career in science, but we hope that by reading this guide, you have gained some insight into how science works and what it takes to engage with it.
If you’re interested in getting involved with science, we encourage you to consider joining a community of people who share your interests or passions. In addition to being fun and rewarding, these communities provide opportunities for learning new skills and developing relationships that can last a lifetime.