Black Lives Matter in the Life Science Industry
Jessie McConville
on
June 19, 2020
Over the past weeks, Scientist.com has been working hard to listen, learn and implement short-term and long-term changes regarding diversity within our company and our industry. Our mission has always been to enable faster science with the hope of creating a more safe and fair world for future generations. As the global community has come together to fight COVID-19, it is just as important to now come together to fight racism, a social disease that has plagued our country for centuries. We are all responsible to listen, learn and come together in order to create a just society.
Scientist.com understands that we are in a position that allows us to initiate change in the broader technology and life science industry that we occupy. We are working internally to focus on ways we can support diverse companies and implement inclusivity long-term. In addition, we will be committing a percentage of our social media content to promoting and educating our audience with programs and initiatives that support Black and minority communities.
Today, on Juneteenth, we start by compiling helpful resources that we hope will be shared among members of the life science industry. Historically, there has been a lack of representation in scientific research. The impact can be felt by researchers, patients and doctors globally as studies and treatments are limited in their abilities to treat diverse individuals. Everyone can work to educate themselves, donate to deserving organizations and support Black individuals at every step of their education. We have linked educational and activism resources below, and we hope that you can join us in our path toward greater equality.
Education and Information
- Video: Leading Through Crisis: Speaking Up and Out on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Issues Impacting Our World, BIO Digital Panel
Watch this first of its kind discussion with CEOs of biotechnology companies and leaders of BIO. Hear about their unique, powerful perspectives on being pioneers in developing medicines. Simply enter your email, it is free to watch.
- Article: Focus on diversity: Incubating innovation — diversity efforts rejuvenate the life science work force, Science magazine
“African-Americans do not hold life science jobs in numbers commensurate with their representation in the US population. The gap matters not just to African-Americans considering science careers, but to science itself.”
- Article: Racial and ethnic diversity in the life sciences sector requires a tailored approach, Liftstream
“It is time for life science companies to act on the issue of race and ethnicity and give equal opportunity to the immense talents that exist among these people.”
Research Centers
- Boston University Center for anti-racist research: https://www.bu.edu/antiracist-center/
- Soul Lab, joint lab of UCSF & SFSU addressing health disparities and issues in community engagement to increase health equity & justice using patient-centric data: https://soullab.co
COVID Relief Funds
- COVID-19 Funds: Where to Donate to Support Minority Communities: https://www.nfg.org/covid-19-funds.
- COVID Relief Fund for Black and brown individuals: https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com/covid19
Science & Education Funds
- Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology- http://www.dfbsstscholarship.org/
- Black Girls do STEM- https://bgdstem.com/
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund- https://www.tmcf.org/
We hope to continue to share information in coming months on our blogs and social media channels. If you have additional information that you would like to send us, please get in contact by emailing marketing@scientist.com.