Abstract
SynopsisThe goal of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology’s Broadening Participation Committee (SICB BPC) is to increase the number of underrepresented group (URG) members within the society and to expand their capabilities as future researchers and leaders within SICB. Our short-term 10-year goal was to increase the recruitment and retention of URG members in the society by 10%. Our long-term 25-year goal is to increase the membership of URG in the society through recruitment and retention until the membership demographic mirrors that of the US Census. Our plans to accomplish this included establishment of a formal standing committee, establishment of a moderate budget to support BPC activities, hosting professional development workshops, hosting diversity and mentor socials, and obtaining grant funds to supplement our budget. This paper documents broadening participation activities in the society, discusses the effectiveness of these activities, and evaluates BPC goals after 5 years of targeted funded activities. Over the past 5 years, the number of URG members rose by 5.2% to a total of 16.2%, members who report ethnicity and gender increased by 25.2% and 18%, respectively, and the number of members attending BPC activities has increased to 33% by 2016. SICB has made significant advances in broadening participation, not only through increased expenditures, but also with a commitment by its members and leadership to increase diversity. Most members realize that increasing diversity will both improve the Society’s ability to develop different approaches to tackling problems within integrative biology, and help solve larger global issues that are evident throughout science and technology fields. In addition, having URG members as part of the executive committee would provide other URG members role models within the society, as well as have a voice in the leadership that represents diversity and inclusion for all scientists.
Highlights
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) is one of the largest and most prestigious professional associations of its kind
SICB takes pride in the fact that one of the Society’s focal points is to support student members, and that the organization is fundamentally committed to the advancement and development of early career investigators through its programs, meetings, and journal publications (Integrative and Comparative Biology)
The Broadening Participation Committee (BPC) goals align well with these design principles and have implemented activities that address some of these, which include: 1) provide support for attending our annual meeting in the form of travel awards, which will promote and sustain a underrepresented group (URG) cohort that in turn will be our future leaders in the society and beyond; 2) increase awareness of broadening participation and building community by promoting events at the annual meeting; 3) offer workshops that address issues specific for URG members; 4) recruit new URG members and promote the society to other societies in 1 þ 2) Initiate a URG cohort and community that will be sustained throughout the career at all levels of membership
Summary
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) is one of the largest and most prestigious professional associations of its kind. The BPC supports a Diversity Social near the end of the annual meeting where travel award checks are distributed and where travel award fellows can meet and network with other SICB members, including past and current executive committee members, program directors from the National Science Foundation and other invited guests.
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