Research-backed defense of DEI programs published today

A trio of biomedical scientists at the University of California and University of Massachusetts have written a research-backed defense of DEI programs that was published today in the journal Nature Cell Biology. They assert that such programs broaden participation in and democratize science—ultimately producing more effective and supportive training environments for all scientists.

To support their case, they cite research that rooted the National Institutes of Health's previous stance in support of diversity—before it was reversed (but can still be found online). "Data shows that expansion of those who participate in academic science produces better science that has a wider impact," they write. "Demographic diversity produces greater novelty, links concepts in new combinations and results in studies with higher impact and more citations."

They conclude that broadening participation "creates a wider and more relevant array of scientific research questions and approaches, and results in more innovative science and technologies that benefit all people. Going backwards to a time when only certain demographic groups could or were able to participate in science ... promises to be a disaster for our multi-dimensional democracy and the global community, and will stall the progress of science and innovation that shapes our future."

The lead author of the commentary, "Scaling back DEI programs and the loss of scientific talent," is Needhi Bhalla, professor of molecular, cell and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz. Her co-authors are professors JoAnn Trejo at UC San Diego and Mary Munson at UMass.

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