ECS Weekly: Best practices for visually conveying scientific data, new job openings, skill-building opportunities

Promoting DEI on an Individual Level

You likely hear a lot about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, sometimes called “DEI” for short. These initiatives encompass a lot of important concepts, for which proper support requires a level of knowledge and understanding.

Diversity refers to the composition of a group of people and means the group is non-homogenous—all members do not have the same identity or same background. Diversity comprises race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability status, religion, and more. While an individual can belong to a number of identities and groups, it’s important to remember that diversity describes groups of people. When “diverse” is used as shorthand to mean an individual from a non-dominant group, it implies that the dominant group is “normal” or “default” and contributes to othering.
Equity means providing support with the goal of leveling the playing field. Equity is not the same thing as equality, though sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. In an equitable situation, individuals from various backgrounds are provided the tools to succeed in a way that is specific to their needs, not the needs of the majority.
Inclusion means ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or identity, are actively welcomed in a given environment. Inclusion is the necessary partner to diversity.

Each of these concepts work together and complement one another in the push toward a future without racism, sexism, and other types of bias and bigotry.

Effectively promoting DEI requires systemic changes and top-down efforts, which means it’s easy to feel like one person’s actions won’t make a difference—but this isn’t true! Individual actions can shape a lab or classroom environment, demonstrating inclusivity and achieving progress towards that envisioned future. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Avoid making assumptions. By not assuming majority identities as default, you open your point of view to appreciate each person’s individuality.
Practice gender neutral language: spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, etc, as this helps remove assumptions and creates space for colleagues to volunteer more specific information as they feel comfortable.
Respect other people’s pronouns. If you use the wrong one, correct yourself with a simple apology and move on. Avoid making a big deal out of it.
Speak up when you hear derogatory, discriminatory, or hateful speech. This includes subtle instances like microaggressions—and be sure to avoid microaggressions yourself.
Recognize that identifying and correcting your own implicit biases takes active work. Be non-defensive and willing to listen to and understand different perspectives, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
Invest the time to learn how to properly pronounce unfamiliar names of your colleagues and students.
Be aware of holidays and observances outside of your own culture or religion. If you have a lab or classroom calendar, include a wide variety of observances, and be mindful of scheduling activities or meetings on days or during holidays that would prevent someone from participating.
When preparing slides or visual aids, use inclusive color schemes and fonts.
When teaching and preparing educational materials, make sure to include images of people from a wide range of backgrounds.
If you organize a meeting, seminar, or event, be aware of the accessibility of the space. Are there wheelchair ramps and elevators? Is there seating available even if the majority of the event will be done standing? Are there seats without arms?

GSA Early Career Leadership Program Resources

NEW! Karyn N. Onyeneho published “Barriers to Participation in Genomic Health Research by African Americans and Other Minority Populations: A Systematic Review,” an abstract addressing acceptance barriers among ethnic minority populations, with an emphasis on African Americans, in participating in health-related research involving DNA. The abstract was published by the American Society of Nutrition.

NEW! Are you an Arabic-speaking geneticist? Are you a science lover interested in genetics careers? Do you struggle communicating your science in Arabic? Join our panel of experts, Rana Dajani, Tarek Abbas, Ghada Amer, Mouadh Benamar, and Eman Rabie on May 18! They will discuss their career paths and how they engage in scientific conversations in Arabic during the inaugural session of the Multilingual Seminar Series. This new online series aims to connect scientists and provide a platform for talking about science in languages other than English.

Ruth A. Isaacson, Sarah N. Bay, and Megan N. McCarty published Supporting the Next Generation of Researchers: GENETICS Peer Review Training Program, detailing the outcomes and successes of the GENETICS Peer Review Program! This program will begin accepting applications again in Spring 2021.

Get to meet the members of the Early Career Leadership Program with their individual spotlights! The latest spotlight in the series is Frederick Boehm from the Community and Member Engagement Subcommittee.

Use the GSA Policy Fellowship Database curated by the Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee to filter by required education, location, compensation, application deadline, and other features, making it easier to find opportunities that fit your unique needs.

The Communication and Outreach Workshop organizers created a list of helpful resources for those interested in scicomm.

The Early Career Leadership Program’s Multimedia, Community & Membership Engagement, and Policy & Advocacy Subcommittees are seeking advisors to join the team this year! If you know an established scientist who would be interested in advising one of these subcommittees, please provide them with this survey.

Postdoc in genetics/evolution | Zanders Lab, Stowers Institute for Medical Research | Kansas City, MO, United States

Postdoctoral Fellow – Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute | Tampa, FL, United States

Vice Chancellor for Research | University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, CA, United States

Research Technician - Functional Genomics | European Molecular Biology Laboratory | Heidelberg, Germany

Postdoc position in the field of quantum optics and application of quantum entanglement in biology and imaging | ELI Beamlines | Prague, Czech Republic

Two postdoctoral positions in Harvard Immunology: neutrophil biology and human genetics | Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) | Boston, MA, United States

ARL Distinguished Postdoc Fellowships | National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine | Adelphi, MD, United States

Researcher on genetic factors for mental disorders | Department of Mental disorders, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health | Oslo, Norway

Apply to the Committee for Postdocs and Students (COMPASS) to focus on career development, outreach, and science communication. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The National Institutes of Health are accepting applications for a Postdoc Fellow in Genomic Science and Health Equity. This program will prepare fellows to use genetic, genomic, and pharmacogenomic approaches to advance minority health and health equity. Applications will be screened on a rolling basis until the position is filled in the Summer or Fall of 2021.

The Company of Biologists is looking for new preLighters to help highlight exciting preprints across diverse scientific fields. Applications are due on May 7, 2021. More details here.

NEW! The Genetics and Sexuality Workshop brings together scholars from psychology, sociology, philosophy, gender studies, and beyond to interrogate the increasingly complex relationship between genetics and behavior. Sign up before May 11, 2021.

The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project is looking for new mentors to supervise undergraduate research! Apply by May 14, 2021.

NEW! The Genetics Society of America is sponsoring the Graduate Career Consortium this year, and we would like to send one of our graduate student members to this virtual conference to represent the GSA. Submit a written statement (up to 350 words) describing why you would like to attend this conference and what benefits you feel you would receive from attendance by May 21 to steeringeclp@genetics-gsa.org. You must attend the full virtual conference on June 23–25 2021. After the conference, you must submit a brief write-up detailing conference highlights, what you learned, and how you feel you benefited from attendance.You will also have the opportunity to write a GenestoGenomes blog post detailing your experience at the consortium.

NEW! The GSA is seeking an Early Career Scientist to join the GSA Board! Active GSA member graduate students and postdocs are eligible to apply. As a GSA ECS Board Representative, you will have the opportunity to attend two in-person GSA Board meetings as well as virtual meetings when available. You will provide insight, guidance, and ideas to the GSA Board of Directors and Staff from an early career perspective. Applicants should be able to communicate effectively with colleagues from a variety of institutions and career stages, including GSA Board members and fellow early career scientists. Eligible members who have participated in GSA early career scientist professional development programs such as the GENETICS Peer Review Training Program are strongly encouraged to apply. This two-year term will start in Fall 2021. Apply by May 31, 2021!

NEW! The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), through the Minority Research Grant Program (MRGP), is proud to release a notice of funding opportunity for researchers at minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The funding opportunity allows researchers at MSIs to build their portfolios while funding studies pertinent to the health care needs of racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and rural populations. Two awards up to $250,000 will be made to one or more eligible institutions to further health equity research and help CMS better meet the needs of minority populations. Review the notice of funding opportunity CMS-1W1-21-002. The deadline to submit applications is June 11, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

NEW! Apply to the Human Genetics Scholars Initiative to help advance diversity and inclusion in the field. The program will a) identify, mentor, and help prepare a select group of high-potential, diverse early-career individuals for professional success and b) develop and sustain a community of researchers across generations committed to diversity and inclusion, who are willing to foster sustained attention to these issues in their research institutions and training programs. Applications are due by June 18, 2021.

The Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network offers fellowships to promote active learning and mentoring. Applications for 2021 are due on July 30 and October 30. More details here.

Current professional development and training opportunities

NEW! Learn how to choose an appropriate research mentor by the National Institutes of Health. The three major factors to consider when selecting a research mentor are: the research program; the personality and mentoring style of the Principal Investigator (known as a PI); and the research environment. Click the following link to learn more!

NEW! Learn about the Short-term Mentored Research Career Enhancement Award to Promote Diversity at the National Institutes of Health. The award provides support for scientists from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented groups, who wish either to expand their genomic competencies or to change their research careers by acquiring new genomics research knowledge or skills.

NEW! Interested in pursuing a science writing career? The beginner’s guide to a career in science writing has you covered.

Interested in the most recent research in genome engineering? Sign up for Harvard Medical School’s online seminar series.

A group of neurogenetics postdocs are writing an article about early career scientists’ perspectives on the future of neurogenetics research. Respond to their questionnaire to have your perspective included in the upcoming special Neurogenetics Series in GENETICS.

The National Institute of Health’s Early Career Reviewer Program aims to help early career scientists become more competitive grant applicants through first-hand experience with peer review and to enrich and diversify CSR’s pool of trained reviewers. Sign up today!

Ohio research universities have a wealth of academic, laboratory, and other resources available to businesses across Ohio and the globe. Ohio Innovation Exchange connects industry to those resources, fostering collaboration and economic development.

You may experience pushback when opening conversations about anti-racism actions in your organization, academic institution, or company. Check out these Responses to 10 Common Criticisms of Anti-Racism Action in STEM.

The mission of the National Science Policy Network is to catalyze the engagement of early career scientists and engineers in policy making by training the next generation of leaders, fostering community, and advocating for the role of science in policy. Consider becoming a member.

Student Engagement Strategies for Virtual Classrooms, a series of three courses, aims to help educators transition from brick-and-mortar instruction to virtual classrooms.

Are you teaching genetics and looking for some new ideas? Check out CourseSource, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes field-tested articles describing undergraduate biology activities.

The Letters to a Pre-Scientist pen pal program, or LPS, pairs fifth to tenth grade student “pre-scientists” in low-income communities in the US with STEM professional volunteers during science class. Sign up to be a penpal today!

Interested in a career outside of academia? Check out the Interactive Simulation Exercises for Career Transitions for example tasks from a variety of career options.
Take advantage of this time indoors; use it to maintain your forward trajectory by engaging in a mentoring connection. MyMentor is MyNRMN's one-on-one guided virtual mentoring feature, which provides an evidence-based curriculum to help you feel comfortable in a virtual capacity. It also promotes independence, self-efficacy, and confidence in your education and/or career path.

Find a detailed list of funding schemes and travel funding opportunities for postdocs using the Early Career Scientists Central Database.