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In the course of the work-week since this article was published, some things have happened & some other things HAVEN'T happened.
Let's recap⌠https://twitter.com/docfreeride/status/1295410981741318144
Let's recap⌠https://twitter.com/docfreeride/status/1295410981741318144
A thing that hasn't happened:
Serious engagement by the authors (notably the corresponding author & the author with a Nobel Prize) with the critiques of the piece.
Serious engagement by the authors (notably the corresponding author & the author with a Nobel Prize) with the critiques of the piece.
A thing that has happened:
Corresponding author of the piece asked a bunch of the people who posted critiques to contribute personal statements to the "Diverse Views in Science" site (which you can find here: https://chemistrycommunity.nature.com/channels/diverse-views-in-science )
Corresponding author of the piece asked a bunch of the people who posted critiques to contribute personal statements to the "Diverse Views in Science" site (which you can find here: https://chemistrycommunity.nature.com/channels/diverse-views-in-science )
A thing that happened:
Chemist & chemical education specialist @STEMxicanEd contributed her personal statement to that site, touching on the ways the very process behind the writing of the piece led to inequity, exclusion, & devaluing of her expertise https://twitter.com/STEMxicanEd/status/1296155201263542272
Chemist & chemical education specialist @STEMxicanEd contributed her personal statement to that site, touching on the ways the very process behind the writing of the piece led to inequity, exclusion, & devaluing of her expertise https://twitter.com/STEMxicanEd/status/1296155201263542272
A thing that hasn't happened:
Senior authors on the team engaging seriously with @STEMxicanEd's account of her experience, reflecting about how they could do better, and/or apologizing for their conduct.
Senior authors on the team engaging seriously with @STEMxicanEd's account of her experience, reflecting about how they could do better, and/or apologizing for their conduct.
A thing that happened:
SpringerNature told @STEMxicanEd she had to edit her personal statement to take out the parts that other authors of the article might find objectionable or view as libelous. https://twitter.com/STEMxicanEd/status/1296835765486395393
SpringerNature told @STEMxicanEd she had to edit her personal statement to take out the parts that other authors of the article might find objectionable or view as libelous. https://twitter.com/STEMxicanEd/status/1296835765486395393
I don't know if this means that senior authors on that paper getting in touch with SpringerNature to object to @STEMxicanEd's personal statement was ALSO a thing that happened. Might have been.
(Also, note that truth is a defense to a charge of libel.)
(Also, note that truth is a defense to a charge of libel.)
A thing that happened:
The senior author of the piece who is a Nobel laureate seemed to respond to the charge that he doesn't have the expertise to author a DEI article by pointing out that his research group has long had members from many nations.
The senior author of the piece who is a Nobel laureate seemed to respond to the charge that he doesn't have the expertise to author a DEI article by pointing out that his research group has long had members from many nations.
I know all the folks still reading this thread have the critical thinking skills to sort out why having lab personnel from many countries might not be a sufficient condition to be a DEI expert.
It's not even the case that having lab personnel from many countries suffices to guarantee that one's lab is truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A thing that happened:
Journalists received a pitch from the press office of the corresponding author's university offering him up as a DEI expert available for them to interview.
At least one outlet seems to have bitten:
https://www.techregister.co.uk/diversity-in-science-crucial-essay/
Journalists received a pitch from the press office of the corresponding author's university offering him up as a DEI expert available for them to interview.
At least one outlet seems to have bitten:
https://www.techregister.co.uk/diversity-in-science-crucial-essay/
These five days have not seen a major contribution by chemists to improving STEM for marginalized scientists.
And what some of the senior authors of that paper have & have not done in this time shows that there is much work to do on that front.
And what some of the senior authors of that paper have & have not done in this time shows that there is much work to do on that front.
If the senior authors who have so far resisted engaging the criticisms or reflecting on their own behavior REALLY ARE WELL-INTENTIONED â if they really want to help, rather than just claim their participation-trophies as DEI advocates â this thread could be a to-do list.
Beyond that, two pieces of advice:
1. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU INTEND TO HELP. They know from experience what might improve their experiences in STEM.
2. LEARN TO HELP WITHOUT BEING THE LEADER. Take on the tasks that are necessary even if they are distant from the limelight.
1. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU INTEND TO HELP. They know from experience what might improve their experiences in STEM.
2. LEARN TO HELP WITHOUT BEING THE LEADER. Take on the tasks that are necessary even if they are distant from the limelight.
