Scientific Community Supports Call for Research and Action on Systemic Racism in Academia

Signatories include more than 70 scientific research organizations

Rockville, Md. (September 2, 2020)—More than 70 organizations and institutions have joined the American Physiological Society (APS) in signing a letter to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) supporting her call for a study to acknowledge and assess systemic racism in academia. Johnson, chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology, wrote to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) in late July, to request NASEM undertake this study.

The coalition letter underscores the importance of an inclusive scientific workforce but acknowledges that past efforts to increase diversity have produced only incremental change. “We are hopeful that a comprehensive study by the NASEM will yield the data and tools that the academic community needs to pursue evidence-based changes leading to more rapid progress,” the letter says. Read the full letter on the APS website.

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