Resources

A systems-level analysis of the biomedical workforce in the US shows that current strategies to enhance faculty diversity are unlikely to have a significant impact, and that there is a need to increase the number of PhDs from underrepresented minority backgrounds who move on to postdoctoral positions.

Some commentators have proposed that researchers can address biases related to social identity or position by including a Citation Diversity Statement in a manuscript submitted for publication. The present commentary considers arguments in favor of Citation Diversity Statements, and some practical and ethical issues that these statements raise.

Using data from a survey of 7,764 academics in North America and publication data from the Web of Science, authors analyze gender differences in parenthood and academic achievements and explore the influence of work-family conflict and partner support on these gender gaps.

The growing literature on gender inequality in academia attests to the challenge that awaits female researchers during their academic careers. However, research has not yet conclusively resolved whether these biases persist during the peer review process of research grant funding and whether they impact respective funding decisions. 

Concerns about systemic racism at academic and research institutions have increased over the past decade. Here, authors investigate data from the National Science Foundation (NSF), a major funder of research in the United States, and find evidence for pervasive racial disparities.