91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ

Despite 30 years of investment supporting women and scientists from underrepresented populations in science, the lack of inclusive diversity among 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's scientific journals, meetings, awards and committees signals a necessary examination of our systems, and a shift in thinking and practice. We must build a home where people of different perspectives and identities contribute to the production of new scientific knowledge and talent; a home where these people have opportunities to share their research findings, engage in scientific discourse and demonstrate their scientific expertise.

In fall 2018, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ established the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Taskforce on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The taskforce is an external advisory group to the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Board of Directors seeking to do the following:

• Promote a culture of inclusion.
• Ensure growth and sustainability.
• Identify benchmarks of success.

After a year of interviewing the community, reviewing documents and examining exemplary models, the Taskforce asked 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ to visibly and outwardly commit to a practice of inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA). They recommended that IDEAA serve as an 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ core value and be visibly integrated and articulated in the strategic plan.

Additionally, the Taskforce presented 4 guiding principles that were accepted by 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's Board of Directors during their winter 2020 meeting. The guiding principles drive the action to change:

• A diverse 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ enhances the microbial sciences, increases innovation, strengthens the community and sustains the profession.
• 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ empowers individuals with diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
• 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ ensures equitable access and accountability through transparent procedures and communication.
• 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ attracts, supports and develops the community, ensuring all are empowered and engaged in the work of the organization.

Moving Toward an IDEAA-Driven Culture

The journey to practice IDEAA is long and requires full commitment from the community, beginning with senior leadership and moving through 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's chain of command. The Taskforce has recommended these initial steps:

1. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must collect information to identify a baseline from which to build and establish targets on par with organizations leading in diversity. Information about an individual's uniqueness along with the communities' perception of 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's DEI efforts is needed.
2. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must provide professional opportunities and resources to raise awareness about bullying, harassment and discrimination, implicit biases and inequities. Professional development must be ongoing and integrated into regular training efforts beginning with 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ leaders and volunteers, and expanding to members and the scientific community.
3. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must hold leaders and volunteers accountable. Elected and appointed leaders must demonstrate their sustained commitment to IDEAA. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must examine recruiting, nominating and selection practices for committees and boards. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must incorporate IDEAA into its scientific programming. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ must empower all people to achieve their full scientific potential and leverage individual differences.

With these recommendations in place, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ is initiating 2 short-term activities this spring. First, the Taskforce will conduct a national membership survey to assess the communities' perception of 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion. This baseline data will be utilized to identify a long-term plan for change. Please watch for correspondence from the Kaleidoscope Group, Inc. which will conduct the voluntary survey.

In addition, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ has published a in the spring issue of the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education (JMBE). The issue covers 3 key areas: an understanding that inclusion is the foundation for the future of colleges and universities, the need for radical changes in faculty support at multiple levels and the removal of barriers to understand social issues and the university experience.

91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ has a moral and social obligation to promote a culture of inclusion in our mission to advance the microbial sciences. The Taskforce is an example of 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ's commitment to move from awareness to action. We must take on this journey with intentionality and accountability. Our goal is to foster a culture where all individuals feel respected, are treated fairly and provided opportunities to develop professionally and excel in their chosen career pathway.