TY - JOUR
T1 - The Minority Scientists’ Experience
T2 - Challenging and Overcoming Barriers to Enhancing Diversity and Career Advancement
AU - Webb, Tonya J.
AU - Guerau-De-Arellano, Mireia
AU - Jones, Harlan P.
AU - Butts, Cherié L.
AU - Sanchez-Perez, Luis
AU - Montaner, Luis J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by U.S. Department of Health and Human Sciences (HHS)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant P30CA010815 and the Robert I. Jacobs Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation (to L.J.M.). L.J.M. is a Kean Family Endowed Chair Professor and Mentor under HHS/NIH Grants T32CA009171, T32AI007632, U54CA190158, and U54MD007600. T.J.W. was supported by HHS/NIH Grants P30CA134274 and R25GM113262. M.G.-d.-A. was supported by HHS/NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Grants R01AI121405, R03AI151769, and 1R21AI127354.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
PY - 2022/1/15
Y1 - 2022/1/15
N2 - Minority groups face barriers in accessing quality health care, professional advancement, and representation in immunology research efforts as a result of institutional racism that if unaddressed can perpetuate a lack of diversity. In 2021, the AAI Minority Affairs Committee convened a cross section of academic and industry scientists from underrepresented groups at various stages of their professions to discuss how best to address the toll racism takes on study design and scientific careers. Panelists drew directly from their own experiences as scientists to share perspectives and strategies for countering a lack of representation in clinical research, responding to microaggressions, navigating academic advancement, and providing effective mentorship. The session reinforced the need for minority scientists to take an active role in advocating for diversity, engaging mentors, and taking responsibility to face rather than avoid institutional obstacles. Overall, increased dialogue and institutional awareness of the experience of scientists from underrepresented groups in research remain the best tools to ensure a health equity mindset and advancement of their careers.
AB - Minority groups face barriers in accessing quality health care, professional advancement, and representation in immunology research efforts as a result of institutional racism that if unaddressed can perpetuate a lack of diversity. In 2021, the AAI Minority Affairs Committee convened a cross section of academic and industry scientists from underrepresented groups at various stages of their professions to discuss how best to address the toll racism takes on study design and scientific careers. Panelists drew directly from their own experiences as scientists to share perspectives and strategies for countering a lack of representation in clinical research, responding to microaggressions, navigating academic advancement, and providing effective mentorship. The session reinforced the need for minority scientists to take an active role in advocating for diversity, engaging mentors, and taking responsibility to face rather than avoid institutional obstacles. Overall, increased dialogue and institutional awareness of the experience of scientists from underrepresented groups in research remain the best tools to ensure a health equity mindset and advancement of their careers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123460855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4049/jimmunol.2101077
DO - 10.4049/jimmunol.2101077
M3 - Article
C2 - 35017208
AN - SCOPUS:85123460855
SN - 0022-1767
VL - 208
SP - 197
EP - 202
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
IS - 2
ER -