Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD;
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and Institute of Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
J Immunol. 2022 Jan 15;208(2):197-202. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101077.
Minority groups face barriers in accessing quality health care, professional advancement, and representation in immunology research efforts as a result of institutional racism that if unaddressed can perpetuate a lack of diversity. In 2021, the AAI Minority Affairs Committee convened a cross section of academic and industry scientists from underrepresented groups at various stages of their professions to discuss how best to address the toll racism takes on study design and scientific careers. Panelists drew directly from their own experiences as scientists to share perspectives and strategies for countering a lack of representation in clinical research, responding to microaggressions, navigating academic advancement, and providing effective mentorship. The session reinforced the need for minority scientists to take an active role in advocating for diversity, engaging mentors, and taking responsibility to face rather than avoid institutional obstacles. Overall, increased dialogue and institutional awareness of the experience of scientists from underrepresented groups in research remain the best tools to ensure a health equity mindset and advancement of their careers.
少数民族群体在获得高质量医疗保健、职业发展以及在免疫学研究工作中的代表性方面面临障碍，这是由于机构种族主义，如果不加以解决，可能会导致多样性的持续缺乏。2021 年，AAI 少数族裔事务委员会召集了来自不同群体的学术界和行业科学家，他们在各自职业生涯的不同阶段，讨论如何最好地解决种族主义对研究设计和科学职业造成的影响。小组成员直接从他们自己作为科学家的经验中汲取灵感，分享了在临床研究中代表性不足、应对微侵犯、在学术上取得进步以及提供有效指导方面的观点和策略。本次会议强调了少数族裔科学家需要积极倡导多样性、参与指导以及承担责任，以面对而不是回避机构障碍的必要性。总的来说，增加对话和机构对代表性不足群体科学家在研究中的经历的认识，仍然是确保健康公平思维和推进他们职业发展的最佳工具。
