Open Discussion on Diversity & Inclusion
On Wednesday, June 24th, CRS held an open discussion dedicated to diversity and inclusion. This meeting was just the beginning of many discussions and efforts within CRS to reflect on our community through the lenses of diversity and equity.
Our esteemed CRS faculty member and Director of the Center for Health Equity Transformation at Northwestern, Professor Melissa Simon, MD, MPH, provided opening remarks on why addressing disparities in our society and acting proactively to make changes is paramount in correcting what has been so profoundly unequal. Dr. Simon stressed that these are difficult and uncomfortable conversations, but recognizing and acknowledging the inequities that exist in research and academia is the first step – one that requires work and thought. Then, the community must come together to not only address the injustices that have already occurred, but also to form concrete plans and initiatives to create measures against future injustices. Dr. Simon stressed the importance of looking at our own “backyard.”
CRS Co-Director Dr. Francesca Duncan provided insight into the diversity of our current CRS faculty, trainees, and invited speakers. As of today, 28.6% of CRS faculty and 43% of trainees are BIPOC. Although higher than university averages, we strive to create a scientific community that reflects the composition of our broader society. CRS recognizes that there needs to be a more concerted effort to increase the diversity of our invited speakers, as well as the diversity of topics to include, for instance, reproductive science and health in diverse populations.
CRS leadership has proposed next-step actions in creating a dedicated diversity committee, promoting diverse speakers in our programming and membership, improving our curriculum to integrate public and global health issues, and to encourage, uplift, and support our community of diverse scientists. We hear you, we see you, but most importantly CRS wants to make sure that you feel that we hear and see you. These ongoing discussions are not going to be easy or comfortable, nor should they be, but CRS is dedicated to listening to all critiques, suggestions, and ideas to make impactful change.
To make changes to negate the systemic racism that has pervaded our institutions of higher learning, more work needs to be done. Racial inequities and suppression of marginalized voices need to end and measurable actions for change in centers such as our own can make larger and more visible changes at Northwestern and beyond. CRS is working to take the vital first steps, of many, towards ensuring that our community remains open, diverse, and equitable for all who wish to study reproductive science. CRS wants to continue to hear from you, so please reach out (crs@northwestern.edu or our dedicated suggestion box) for any questions or suggestions, or if you wish to join the diversity committee.