Advancement of knowledge is a shared endeavor in which all of humanity has a stake. However, people from marginalized communities — based on ancestry, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, or sexual orientation — have historically been excluded from the scientific project, and to this day systemic biases ingrained in our society continue to impede career advancement for scientists from these groups.
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute believes in fostering an inclusive and equitable working environment in which scientists from all backgrounds can thrive and in which our science is enhanced by a diversity of ideas, perspectives and life experiences.
Below is a short collection of commentaries and primary research on these topics.
NeuWrite West series: Inequality in STEM
NeuWrite West series: Anti-Black Racism in Neuro
Recommended Readings
Achieving diversity in research
(Nature, 2020)
A collection of articles describing challenges faced by underrepresented groups in science and academia.
Science benefits from diversity
(Nature, 2018)
A highlight of successful efforts to improve diversity within labs, departments, and institutions.
Racial and gender bias plague postdoc hiring
(Science, 2019)
A cover story highlighting studies that have demonstrated prejudice in hiring decisions based on gender, race, and ethnicity.
Missing in Action: African Ancestry Brain Research
(Weinberger, Dzirasa, & Cumpton-Young. Cell, 2020)
Genetic studies of neurological and psychiatric disorders have historically excluded individuals of African Ancestry, widening the gap in medical research and treatment availability for these disorders. The authors highlight a new African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative to address this problem.
(Jones, Bright, & Laurencin, eds. National Academies Press, 2020)
A discussion of systemic racism and bias as key drivers of underrepresentation and disparate outcomes for Black scientists, engineers, and medical professionals.
