May, 2022
Message from the COSWD
Now more than ever, scientific workforce diversity is critical to ensuring innovation in biomedical research and, ultimately, the health of everyone in the nation. I invite you to read the COSWD Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022–2026, which outlines a bold vision for our future efforts and the steps we will take to foster equity in science. The planning process was truly a collaborative endeavor, and I am grateful to the COSWD team, the NIH community, and our stakeholders for their engagement and insights.
Implementation of our ambitious agenda is already in process, as demonstrated by the activities highlighted in this newsletter, particularly the Fostering Cohort Recruitment Virtual Forum, our Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS) event on May 17, and the 21st Century Scholars Program. In addition, a March Nature Communications article I coauthored describes how the NIH is addressing barriers to women’s participation in science.
I hope you enjoy this snapshot of recent COSWD initiatives, and I encourage you to share this newsletter with others who may be interested in our work.
COSWD News Roundup
Be sure to check out our redesigned home page as you visit the following additions to our website.
COSWD Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022–2026: Please explore our updated strategic plan, released in early April. The plan renews our charge as the NIH thought leader in the science of scientific workforce diversity, using evidence-based approaches to catalyze cultures of inclusive excellence in support of the NIH mission.
Fostering Cohort Recruitment Virtual Forum: Our February event featured a stimulating conversation around the effectiveness of cohort recruitment models with 900 viewers over the two-day forum. Event videos and presentation materials are available on our website.
21st Century Scholars Program: The newest COSWD-sponsored initiative is underway. Six mentors and 13 cohort engagement scholars were selected for the program; together, they will build a vibrant, self-reinforcing culture of mentoring and support at the NIH. Read about the inaugural cohort.
Diversity Mentorship Supplements: We received a robust response to our recent administrative supplement opportunity to enhance mentorship within NIH-supported research, with an emphasis on underrepresented groups. We look forward to providing an update on the supplement recipients later this year.
In Case You Missed It: Recent COSWD Blog Posts
- Congress Strengthens NIH’s Ability to Address Harassment in NIH-Funded Activities
- Requesting Your Input on the Development of a DEIA Prize Competition
The Latest in the Science of Workforce Diversity
- Bernard, MA et al. Community Voices: NIH Working Toward Inclusive Excellence by Promoting and Supporting Women in Science. Nature Communications. March 2022.
- SWDSS Proceedings: Is Implicit Bias Training Effective?
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Seminar: How Does Diversity Impact Science? Register today for our Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS) event on Tuesday, May 17, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET; this is the final seminar on our 2021–2022 SWDSS schedule. The discussion will focus on evidence regarding the impact of diversity on scientific pursuits.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Prize Competition RFI. You are invited to respond to a Request for Information (RFI) on a prize competition for higher education institutions that advance DEIA and create systemic change. All responses to the RFI must be received by July 28, 2022. We look forward to your insightful comments!
Question of the Month
What approaches can help organizations reduce bias through training and related programs?
- Positively communicate diversity and inclusion as core organizational values.
- Tailor strategies for specific groups (e.g., leadership, staff) and organizational contexts (e.g., hiring, performance evaluations).
- Incorporate implicit bias training as one component of a broader institutional change strategy.
- All of the above.
Stay Connected with the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity.