Beyond Ticking Boxes: Holistic Assessment of Travel Award Programs Is Essential for Inclusivity

• DOI: 10.35459/tbp.2021.000195
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21T20:33:12Z
• Authors: Candice M. Etson; Kirsten F. Block; Michael D. Burton; Ashanti Edwards; Sonia C. Flores; Catherine Fry; Ashley N. Guillory; Susan L. Ingram; Richard McGee; Deborah L. Neely-...; Stephanie Paxson; Laura Phelan; Clara Primus; Kirsta Suggs; Leticia R. Vega; Elizabeth Vuong; Latanya Hammonds-...; Michael J. Leibowitz; MariaElena Zavala; J. Luis Lujan; Marina Ramirez-Al...; Verónica A. Segarra
• Keywords: Holistic management; Holistic education

One of the major activities any scientific professional society undertakes each year is organizing one or more conferences, at which members can share work and network with others within their discipline. For scientist, attending these regular meetings an important part establishing maintaining a connection to community practice for chosen field study. Though there typically emphasis on providing participants venue present research findings, interaction key motivation conference (1). In fact, even trainees who do not receive measurable benefits from meetings. There no better opportunity gain appreciation broad range possible career paths available seemingly narrow than by large annual meeting (2). have findings share, attendance affords unique preparing communicating well-organized summary results, essential skill working central process developing self-efficacy, confidence, sense belonging in science (3). Additionally, many other development opportunities offered societies take place conferences and, thus, only be accessed events.Of course, come cost—the registration fees travel expenses involved. Professional commonly offer number awards defray costs need. Many use award programs foster inclusion facilitate underrepresented minority (URM) scientists. All member that participate Alliance Catalyze Change Equity STEM Success (ACCESS) so some degree. Members this metaorganization recently came together different approaches (4). The practices Biophysical Society (BPS), ACCESS societies, may particular interest Biophysicist readership. Our spends US$85,252 awards. addition, 2 paid staff are dedicated administration program, 5 committees volunteer time judge applications. Although larger membership rolls spend year, substantial commitment about 7,500 members.The BPS program actually amalgam multiple sponsored society, targeting certain group members. Committee Inclusion Diversity (CID) supports applications URM students postdoctoral fellows, while Opportunities Women funds female fellows midcareer Education all International Relations specifically scientists outside United States. Membership offers bridging grants including independent investigators. This patchwork collectively serves levels groups. eligible program. Prior 2019, candidates applied directly resulting duplicate had evaluated using labor. Each committee limited distribute, it was unclear whether well matched needs targeted group. With respect scientists, has shared investment supporting, CID presented 18 year. However, could (and most certainly did) apply committees. Because applicant demographic information collected administering awards, just how were applying receiving beyond those CID. Moreover, clear attractive given its specific labeling. As pointed out Segarra et al. (4), motivations monetary value drive people apply. receipt often viewed as mark distinction (5, 6) but accompanied stigma due widespread perception support lifting up less competent individuals achieve success without affirmative action (7, 8). Unfortunately, singling exacerbate feelings isolation they experience reduce perceived award.To address concerns, moved single, centralized application new format streamlined applicants reduced workload judges eliminating need assess Under system, asked questions determine eligibility programs. Surprisingly, compared self-identified 2018, 2019 nearly doubled. Meanwhile, rate remained comparable, apparently, received under system did set aside change several named recipients same name: award. It seems likely such having highlights recipient's minoritized status.This result shows indeed make strides biophysicists. Moving forward, crucial highlight why important. attest, biophysics universities, leave biophysicists feeling isolated. According National Center Statistics (9), 4,313 degree-granting postsecondary institutions States during 2017 2018 academic On basis self-reported data BPS, 141 U.S.-based colleges universities sort. include every numbers still suggest 5% higher education identifiable About half graduate level only, undergraduates will little, if any, exposure before decision pursue Furthermore, learn choose specialize prior beginning doctoral studies choices. lack outsized effect enter field.Emerging evidence indicates increased workforce diversity progress science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) disciplines. Recent indicate (UR) groups, both terms gender race, well-represented (WR) groups connections between concepts (10). kind innovation underpinning biophysics: we identify exploit links what know physics inanimate objects want understand processes life. dataset demonstrates "diversity breeds innovation" also reveals UR counterparts WR see novel contributions discounted erasure discourage persisting biophysics, way knowing cost associated loss talent.However, suggesting welcoming supporting into might lead increase innovation, deserve interests. Supporting participation means addressing barriers encounter. Marginalized status correlates resources; (11–13), missed others. Given scarcity critical mass biophysicists, biophysicists' networking met home because chance meet pursuing lie interfaces "traditional" departments. Conferences interact established practice, access indicators excellence, result, represents building block counteract resources undermine experienced unprecedented social stay-at-home orders coronavirus disease pandemic, marginalized STEM, impact severe already developed discipline.If wish provide kinds truly need, follows architects must formulate goals, collect goals being achieved, changes necessary maximize attainment desired outcomes. Certainly, first step reaching. results recent demonstrate small adjustments effects. move simply increasing attempt careful assessment critical. A reasonable overarching goal target would persistence general stay society's field. known attrition rates fields, particularly transition points (14, 15), help navigate transitions successfully. If thrive, should aim community.How impact? best not) mixture indicators. Societies consider inputs, process, outputs, outcomes Analysis efforts reveal additional amplify positive effects create survey effort (available Supplemental Material). We used administered American Cell Biology (supported Institutes Health T36-GM008622 R25GM116707) starting point further instrument includes touch outputs recipients. stage ticking off boxes Rather, Common Travel Award Evaluation Survey probes identified previously: reached program; our specifically); points; ensuring feel societies.Input probe investing captured surveying Therefore, addition Survey, recommend inputs Inputs considered money spent invested volunteers implementation. limit run, another input focus. By choosing focus initiatives fall wayside. evaluate programming works accomplish broader goals. well-designed missing piece complete unified plan diversity. Alternatively, expense. Put way, evaluation refocused Evaluating fundamental undertaking. Stakeholders, donors corporate underwriters, rightfully concerned return investment. depend recruit applicants, vet run events. where coming carry excess burden when comes acknowledged (16). academics recognized service profession, especially groups.Process understanding running. Even thoughtful planning, impossible predict happen initiated. Process let us discussed previously demonstrates, among immediately obvious. like perspective. Finding heard allow advertising outreach. Successful needing attempts indication requirements attainable. fraction qualified indicator scale matches society. Other applicants. instance, decline Were unable cover extra award? Did worth expense? easy attendance, attract retain become active members, sessions them items publicized. reason, asking knowledge toward ensure planners expand ways goals.Output show achieved short term regarding These simple interpret always accurately. participating both, ask recipient demographics. inherently personal nature, serve reminders respondents expected capable majority. negative responses rest survey, phenomenon stereotype threat. difficult questions, placing ethnicity, end avoid highlighting respondents' status. can, should, go merely report award, value.Given articulated, really attempting find experiences difference trajectories sustained membership. measure; occur over longer period conference. start taking away doing careers. welcome expect honest response, good alternative outcome. When belong discipline, driven fully regularly. awardees current planned activities, gauge society.In conclusion, sharing entirety assisting wishes helping backgrounds depending amount comfortable spend. Questions labeled according type intended probe. tailor reaching right people. Some awardees, sufficient successful. We, therefore, probing participants' able them. Finally, (or modified version) seek answers bigger Until boxes, never making full interested endeavor.Supplemental at: https://doi.org/10.35459/tbp.2021.000195.s1.We thank R25GM116707. Patricia B. Campbell enlightening discussions topic evaluation. supported Science Foundation (grant 1744098) MRA VAS.