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2023

Native American Heritage Month: An Ideal Opportunity. Three illustrated patterns represent Upper Midwest tribal communities, with design inspiration from North Dakota tribal communities; Lakota artist Donald Montileaux from South Dakota; and Minnesota tribal communities.

Native American Heritage Month: An Ideal Opportunity

11.21.23 Marie A. Bernard


Centuries before NIH was built on this land we call Bethesda, the Piscataway-Conoy Tribe lived here. We need to acknowledge this relationship and pay respect to the Piscataway-Conoy people and their ancestors and future generations of Piscataway descendants.

A light bulb and conversations bubbles over a diverse group of people communicating and holding computers, with gears in the background.

Share Your Thoughts on NIH’s Mission Statement

10.11.23 Marie A. Bernard

 

I am pleased to share a notable development in NIH’s ongoing efforts to advance disability equity and inclusion in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise.

Pride Month—It’s Important for Us All. Photo of Karen L. Parker, Ph.D., M.S.W, Director of the NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office. National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director, Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity.

Pride Month—It’s Important for Us All

06.14.23 Marie A. Bernard

 

Pride Month—It’s Important for Us All 

“People are more engaged when they can bring their whole selves to the table.”

The Power of Empathy: AA and NHPI Heritage Month. Michael F. Chiang, M.D. Director of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health.

The Power of Empathy: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

05.09.23 Marie A. Bernard

 

The power of empathy can’t be understated.

It helps broaden our outlook to embrace a diverse scientific workforce.

Celebrating Five Years: NIH Distinguished Scholars Program. Pictured are Dr. Roland Owens, Dr. Marie A. Bernard, and Dr. Neil Hanchard.

Celebrating Five Years: NIH Distinguished Scholars Program

04.26.23 Marie A. Bernard

 

In our office, we say that great minds think differently.

It’s a given—and a must—for progress.

Women's History Month: Reflecting on the Past to Redirect the Future. Dr. Marie Bernard and Dr. Nina Schor.

Women’s History Month: Reflecting on the Past to Redirect the Future

03.08.23 Marie A. Bernard


As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we can be motivated by many pioneers in health, medicine, and science.

2022

Science students working in a laboratory

Supporting and Promoting Women in Science: Actionable Strategies from the NIH

03.29.22 Marie A. Bernard

The scientific enterprise must redouble efforts to address its lack of gender diversity and foster a culture of inclusive excellence where women scientists are not marginalized, diminished, or harassed in any setting.

Virtual Conference

How Virtual Convenings Can Enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

02.24.22 Marie A. Bernard

In the COSWD Office, we continually explore ways to foster inclusive excellence in the biomedical research enterprise. As such, I have decided to hold all COSWD seminars, conferences, and meetings entirely online throughout 2022.

Image for admin supplements

New NIH Administrative Supplements Available to Support Diversity Mentorship

02.09.22 Marie A. Bernard


I am pleased to announce the availability of a new NIH administrative supplement that recognizes the crucial role outstanding mentors play in fostering future leaders in the biomedical research enterprise.

Photo of people commenting on the draft

Invitation to Comment on the Draft 2022–2026 COSWD Strategic Plan

01.13.22 Marie A. Bernard

As our nation continues to identify and address the challenges and threats to equity across systems and populations, we are also focusing on these issues as a core mission within my office.

2021

Inclusive Workplace Recognition Project

The Power of an Inclusive Workplace Recognition Project: Picturing Scientific Workforce Diversity

12.20.21 Marie A. Bernard

On November 19, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) unveiled new portraits of agency staff on its Bethesda, Maryland campus to better reflect and recognize the diversity of everyone who contributes to its mission.

Vence L. Bonham, Jr., JD.

Championing a Diverse Genomics Workforce

12.01.21 Marie A. Bernard

I am pleased to introduce Vence L. Bonham, Jr., JD., Acting Deputy Director of the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Mr.

National Cancer Institute

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: What Your Institution Can Do

11.23.21 Marie A. Bernard

The inaugural NIH Workplace Climate and Harassment Survey (WCHS) was spearheaded by the COSWD Office in 2019 to assess the NIH workplace climate and identify elements of the NIH organizational climate associated with hara

Open Mike

Reaffirming NIH’s Commitment to Workforce Diversity

11.04.21 Marie A. Bernard and Mike Lauer

Diversity is inextricably tied to the success of the NIH mission, thus ensuring diversity within the extramural biomedical research workforce is of utmost importance.

Dr. Bruce J. Tromberg

Perspectives on Promoting Scientific Workforce Diversity with Dr. Bruce J. Tromberg

10.28.21 Marie A. Bernard

I am pleased to introduce to you, our followers, Dr. Bruce J. Tromberg, Director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the NIH.

CDC Biomedical Science lab tech

Recipients of NIH FIRST Program Awards Announced for FY 2021

10.19.21 Marie A. Bernard

I am pleased to share that the NIH Common Fund Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) program announced its first award recipients on September 30.

Dr. Francis S. Collins

Honoring Dr. Collins for His Leadership

10.13.21 Marie A. Bernard

On Tuesday, October 5, NIH announced that Dr. Francis S. Collins is stepping down as Director of the NIH by the end of 2021, after serving in the role since 2009. Dr.

Dr. Karen Parker

Creating an SGM-Inclusive Biomedical Research Enterprise with Dr. Karen Parker

09.08.21 Marie A. Bernard

It’s a pleasure to introduce Dr. Karen L. Parker, Director of the NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO). Dr.

People with masks

Announcing the SWD Seminar Series

08.27.21 Marie A. Bernard

I am pleased to announce the Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS), a new series of online talks devoted to the latest research on workforce diversity topics.

Roland A. Owens, Ph.D.

NIH Career Opportunities: The Stadtman Investigators Program

08.03.21 Marie A. Bernard

For this week’s post, I spoke with Dr. Roland Owens, Director of Research Workforce Development in the NIH Office of Intramural Research (OIR). Dr.

Disabled(Blind) person using fingers to read

Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Scientific Workforce

07.21.21 Marie A. Bernard

In recognition of Americans with Disabilities Act Day on July 26, this week’s post is about the low representation of individuals with disabilities in the biomedical research workforce and efforts underway at the NIH to change this.

Doctor having test tubes in bucket

Confronting Systemic Racism in Science Together

07.01.21 Marie A. Bernard

Systemic racism persists in the scientific endeavor.

Rainbow Flag

Experiences and Inclusion of Sexual and Gender Minority Scientists in the STEM Workforce

06.22.21 Marie A. Bernard

June is Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate the various perspectives and experiences of our sexual and gender minority (SGM) colleagues who enhance the mission of NIH.

Women looking at the whiteboard

Amplifying the Voices of URG Scientists with NIH’s Women of Color Committee

06.09.21 Marie A. Bernard

Women of Color face many systemic obstacles in the scientific workforce, from experiences of racial microaggressions to disproportionate expectations of academic service relative to their male counterparts.

Dr. Hashimoto

A Closer Look at NIH's Distinguished Scholars Program with Dr. Carl Hashimoto

05.25.21 Marie A. Bernard

In this week's blog post, I am happy to introduce Dr. Carl Hashimoto. Dr. Hashimoto leads the NIH Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP) and is the Senior Advisor for Faculty Development in the NIH Office of Intramural Research.

Janine Austin Clayton, M.D.

Perspectives on the NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers with Dr. Janine Austin Clayton

04.21.21 Marie A. Bernard

In this week’s blog post, we are happy to introduce Janine Austin Clayton, M.D., FARVO, director of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and co-chair (along w

Great Minds

Applications Open! Jump Start Your Career with the Virtual 2021 Future Research Leaders Conference

04.15.21 Marie A. Bernard
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Scientific Workforce Diversity (SWD) office are pleased to announce the 2021 Future Research Leaders Conference (FRLC), an excellent career development opportunity for talented, early-career scientists interested in pursuing careers at NIH’s world-class Intramural Research Program (IRP).
Research

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Extramural Scientific Workforce – Outcomes from an NIH-Led Survey

03.25.21 Marie A. Bernard and Mike Lauer

One year later, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected our individual lives and communities. We have observed disproportionate effects observed in underserved populations, leaving them vulnerable to higher infection and mortality risk.

NIH UNITE

The UNITE Initiative: Charging Forward on the Road to Racial Equity in the Biomedical Workforce

03.01.21 Marie A. Bernard
Several important events in 2020 highlighted the nation’s struggle with racial injustice and brought a new focus on structural racism within science and medicine.
Black History Month

Commemorating Black History Month at NIH: A Tribute to Dr. Geraldine Woods

02.18.21 Marie A. Bernard

Black History Month (also known as African American History Month) is an opportunity to look at past accomplishments. The NIH has been a leader in supporting science and technology, with that mission fostered by several prominent African American/Black trailblazers.

Dr. Charles Dearolf

Perspectives on the NIH Independent Research Scholar Program with Dr. Charles Dearolf

02.09.21 Marie A. Bernard

For this week’s blog post, we are happy to introduce Dr. Charles Dearolf, who is the Director of Program Development and Support at NIH’s Office of Intramural Research (OIR). He has been a member of the OIR senior leadership team since 2008.

Funding Process

Navigating the NIH Grant Application Process

01.19.21 Marie A. Bernard

The NIH encourages and supports applications for grants and funding by all members of the biomedical research community.

2020

Disabled man in wheelchair with Prostetics

Barriers to Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in the Scientific Workforce

12.16.20 Marie A. Bernard

On December 3rd of this year, the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed.

Genome Research

Support for Inclusive Excellence Through Cohort Hiring: Funding Opportunities Released

12.08.20 Marie A. Bernard
Today the NIH released two new funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) as part of the NIH Common Fund’s Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) program.
This is engineering

The Importance of Science Identity for Inclusion

12.04.20 Marie A. Bernard

While categorizations of race, class, and gender may influence individuals’ self-perceptions, recent work has focused on a more nuanced view of identity, suggesting the activities individuals engage in may also be influential.

Writing

Moving Forward: Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on the Biomedical Workforce

11.17.20 Marie A. Bernard
Moving Forward: Goals and Approaches for Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on the Biomedical Workforce

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic go beyond a direct health effect and can impact individuals at both personal and institutional levels.

Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

The Personal Impact of COVID-19 on the Biomedical Workforce

11.10.20 Marie A. Bernard

While we last looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted institutional policies, this post will focus on the effect the pandemic has had on individuals in the U.S.

Creative rendition of SARS-COV-2 virus particles.

The Institutional Impact of COVID-19 on the Biomedical Workforce

11.03.20 Marie A. Bernard

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a substantial and likely enduring impact on the U.S. biomedical workforce and forced institutional-wide changes. But the effects are likely not shared equally.

OITE trainees

A Case for Diversity Driven by Data

10.27.20 Marie A. Bernard
A diverse workforce is an essential component of any successful enterprise that thrives on innovation.
Dr. Marie A. Bernard

A New Chapter: Dr. Marie A. Bernard’s Vision for Scientific Workforce Diversity

10.20.20 Marie A. Bernard
On October 1, 2020, I assumed the role of acting Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity (COSWD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I am deeply honored to continue and expand upon the work of my predecessor, Hannah A. Valantine, MD.
Hannah A. Valantine, M.D.

Farewell Blog Post

10.01.20 Hannah A. Valantine
At the Scientific Workforce Diversity Office (SWD), our mission has always been driven by the fundamental belief that a diverse workforce has the potential to spur scientific innovation, creativity, and productivity. Under my leadership, our work over the last six and a half years has focused on strategies to promote equity and enhance diversity throughout the biomedical research enterprise.

2019

Progress

Success for our Nation’s Scientific Workforce: Sustaining the Diversity Program Consortium

08.21.19 Hannah A. Valantine
Heeding the call to key recommendations from that Working Group, NIH established my position and office within the NIH Office of the Director; my team and I have worked hard with partners across NIH, the federal government, and the non-profit sector to address the group’s 13 recommendations.
Chance or Change

Transforming Institutional Culture: Assessment and Intervention

05.21.19 Hannah A. Valantine
Recently my office partnered with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to host a webinar on organizational approaches to effect culture change.

2018

People connected

Where Are All the Women? Preventing Gender Harassment in Science

12.20.18 Hannah A. Valantine

The #MeToo movement has brought heightened scrutiny to interpersonal interactions in all walks of life – making us think carefully about what it means to be sexually harassed or to be a harasser. This global wave of recognition has not escaped the world of science.

Image showing raised hands of various skin tones.

Because You Asked: More Information About the NIH Scientific Workforce Diversity Toolkit

09.18.18 Hannah A. Valantine
Recently, on July 30, 2018, my office partnered with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to host a webinar aimed at promoting NIH’s evidenced-based strategies to promote inclusive excellence through the use of the NIH Scientific Workforce Diversity (SWD) Toolkit.
An image of a pencil-drawn web, with multiple multi-colored rectangles with dark blue arrows pointing from each of them towards a central turquoise rectangle.

1 + 1 = 3 (or More): The Value of Collaborations for Diversity and Inclusion in Biomedicine

04.17.18 Hannah A. Valantine

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." – Henry Ford

Landon

Building on BUILD: What’s on the Horizon for the Diversity Program Consortium?

02.13.18 Hannah A. Valantine

In a previous blog, "Tomorrow’s Scientists, Today," I wrote about the NIH-funded Diversity Program Consortium (DPC).

2017

Image of person clicking on person icon

Focus on Faculty: The Time is Now

07.26.17 Hannah A. Valantine

As NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity, my main goal is to promote scientific workforce diversity as a means to institutional excellence as I have described in previous blogs.

writing

Data Science: Meet Diversity

05.26.17 Hannah A. Valantine

Few 20th century achievements portend more promise than the digitalization of biology, made possible by the Human Genome Project and a whirlwind of subsequent advances.

Dr. Valantine

Diversity for the Future: Accelerating Change and Sustainability

05.05.17 Hannah A. Valantine
As I’ve noted in previous blogs and elsewhere, I see enhancing workforce diversity as an opportunity and an imperative for maintaining our nation’s biomedical research preeminence in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Interview

Re-Thinking First Impressions

04.19.17 Hannah A. Valantine

In my role as NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity, every week I encounter hundreds of individuals and groups in the massive enterprise that is biomedical research.

Gabriel Cartagena in the lab with mentor Lisa Smith.

Tomorrow’s Scientists, Today

04.06.17 Hannah A. Valantine

Chances are, if you aren’t related to a scientist, or have never known one personally, you probably wouldn’t imagine yourself as one. Psychologists call this a lack of science identity.

2016

cow

Cows, Wall Street and Science

04.30.16 Hannah A. Valantine

NIH’s mission is turning discovery into health. That discovery gets done by people—creative scientists of all types all across the nation.

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