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March, 2023 Newsletter

Publishing Date
March 01, 2023
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A Message from the COSWD, Marie A. Bernard, M.D.

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I am pleased to share this newsletter summarizing our activities from the last few months. It is a great refresher or opportunity to catch up on our blog posts and events. Notably, the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) was recently released. It was my pleasure to co-lead the development of this framework that will guide NIH DEIA activities for Fiscal Years 2023–2027. As you peruse the Plan, you will see that it serves as an umbrella document for the many DEIA activities across NIH, including the COSWD Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022–2026.

Read the NIH-Wide DEIA Strategic Plan

COSWD News Roundup 

NIH Disabilities Subgroup Report

In December, the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) adopted the Disabilities Subgroup Report as a set of formal recommendations to NIH. The ACD Working Group on Diversity led the development of the report, which highlights key recommendations for tackling barriers, broadening definitions of disability, and creating more robust opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the scientific workforce. are now reviewing the recommendations to determine what NIH can adopt in the short, medium, and long term.

Register for Our June Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar

Register today for our Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS) event, “How Does Mentoring Impact Diversity in the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce?" on June 14, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET. Panelists will discuss evaluations on the impact of mentoring on researchers’ career paths, the importance of theoretical models, and future directions for building inclusive environments through mentorship. Follow COSWD on LinkedIn for SWDSS updates.

Promoting Diversity in Research

In a December article in The Lancet, I discussed my career pathway and the importance of scientific workforce diversity. And on Wednesday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m. ET, I will participate in the discussion, “Spotlight on Research for Health: Inequalities in Research,” hosted by The Lancet. This panel is one of many events marking The Lancet’s 200th anniversary. I hope you can attend.

In Case You Missed It: Recent Posts from the COSWD Blog

The Latest in the Science of Workforce Diversity

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations: Beyond Broadening Participation. Published February 14, 2023.

Stay Connected with the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity.