Encouraging the Participation of Women and Minorities in Science: A Policy Perspective

摘要

The Science Policy Experience mill provide a series of articles exploring the relationship between science and politics and how each affects the other. Andrea Stith, AWIS councilor and science policy analyst at Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology will moderate this discussion that will span the next several issues of AWIS Magazine. Andrea will engage several science policy professionals to explore a variety of current issues occupying the border between science and politics. Encouraging the Participation of Women and Minorities in Science - a Policy Perspective is the second article of this series. Enabling more women and minorities to become scientists requires mentoring and encouraging them one by one. It is a personal issue and the backing of one person can be crucial in the life decisions of a young man or woman who will foster future scientific breakthroughs. When looking at the viability of U.S. science, especially in the face of increasing global competition for talent, the need to encourage individuals to pursue science careers is equally critical, but the perspective is distinct. Policy makers try to make these changes on a macroscopic level by systematically creating opportunities for scientists. Those who design and make policies need to look at the issue from an institutional, local, state, or national perspective. How can we make sure that the demand for scientists and technology workers is fulfilled?