This linked survey has three brief open-ended questions. It will take about 5 minutes to complete. The deadline to submit is Monday, March 29th at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. We apologize for the short timetable, but we do want to contribute to this work!
Background
NIH launched an effort to end structural racism in biomedical research through a new initiative called UNITE. NIH has released a Request for Information seeking input on practical and effective approaches to improve and strengthen racial equity, diversity, and inclusion across all facets of the biomedical research enterprise and to expand research to eliminate or lessen health disparities and inequities.
APA plans to submit a comprehensive comment that would include the input from multiple divisions and governance groups. We want to make sure the voices and expertise of Division 15 are represented in APA’s comment.
Three domains in the initiative are of particular relevance for expert input from Division 15 members:
- Factors that present obstacles to training, mentoring, or career path (e.g., training environments) leading to underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups (particularly Black/African Americans) in the biomedical research enterprise throughout the educational and career continuum and proposed solutions (novel or proven effective) to address them.
- Barriers inhibiting recruitment and hiring, promotion, retention and tenure, including the barriers scientists of underrepresented groups may face in gaining professional promotions, awards, and recognition for scientific or non-scientific contributions (e.g., mentoring, committees), and proven strategies or novel models to overcome and eliminate such barriers.
- Successful actions NIH and other institutions and organizations are currently taking to improve representation, equity, and inclusion and/or reduce barriers within the internal NIH workforce and across the broader funded biomedical research enterprise.
Please respond to the survey (include references when possible). We will compile the suggestions into a comprehensive contribution from the Division towards the APA comment.