The courage and sacrifice of protesters following the unjust killings of Black Americans has advanced opportunities to address ongoing social inequities and deeply embedded systemic racism. As CU Boulder professionals, we must recognize and challenge our personal privilege and the biases that perpetuate inequalities on this campus, in higher education and throughout the broader global community. In doing so, we reaffirm our shared “commitment to building CU Boulder as a diverse, inclusive, and equitable public research university for the 21st century,”  as articulated in the campus IDEA Plan for (Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics).

As we work to cultivate a more inclusive campus community where every student, staff and faculty member knows they are valued and feels a sense of belonging; and where everyone has the opportunity to bring their diverse perspectives to solving the challenges of our time, we invite your collaboration and appreciate your insights.

The following strategies and resources, while not comprehensive, were researched and compiled by Julie Graf and Lisa Romero de Mendoza, both of the Biological Sciences Initiative at CU Boulder. While many of the strategies and citations are science-based, the general principles apply to all disciplines of academic research and creative works.  We would like to thank those who reviewed and contributed to these strategies:  Anne-Barrie Hunter, Rebecca Ciancanelli, Lee Niswander, Paul Muhlrad, Edward Chuong, Deborah Wuttke,Theresa Hernández, Deane Bowers, Christopher Lowry, Timothy O’Neill, Joan Gabriele, Sharon Anderson, Robert L. Spencer and Michael Baratta.

A condensed version of the strategies appear below. For more information, including references and resources, please download the full document. Download document 

Untapped – The term untapped is used throughout below because it emphasizes the significant potential of students for whom opportunities in research have been lacking.

Strategies for Fostering an Inclusive Research Environment

 

Inclusive Mentoring

Offer Paid Opportunities

Being paid makes it more feasible for many untapped students to participate in research in lieu of taking another job for financial support.

Communicate the Benefits

Clarity as to the benefits of doing research (e.g., supportive environment and networking possibilities, gateway to graduate or professional programs, skills and knowledge gained) can be very helpful to untapped students and their families.

Communicate the Norms

Take care to explain the cultural norms in your field, which can pose barriers for students unfamiliar with terminology, structures and goals.

Broaden Selection Criteria

Criteria other than GPA are recommended to elucidate the motivation, research interests and future career plans of untapped students.

Give Flexibility with Schedules

Many students have work and family commitments that complicate their schedules and pose barriers to participation without flexibility.

Establish Expectations

Clearly explaining and discussing expectations early can identify gaps in understanding and help students feel more comfortable asking questions.

Frame the “Bigger Picture”

Describe how students’ research projects fit into the “bigger picture” of your work and broader field, which helps them see applications and increases engagement.

Mindful Mentoring

Guide Next Steps

Highlight opportunities to present, publish and pursue graduate studies, which is especially critical for untapped students.

Feedback is Powerful

Timely, specific—and, especially, public—positive feedback will help students gain confidence in their abilities; criticism should be constructive and private.

Share Your Story

Telling students your professional story, including any failures and detours, can help them see and navigate new pathways while overcoming "imposter syndrome."

Be Attentive to Well-Being

The CU Red Folder describes how to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately and direct students to campus resources.

Inclusive Excellence

Lead an Inclusive Workplace

Celebrating diversity with a multicultural, identity-affirming approach is more beneficial than ignoring differences.

Model Ally Behaviors

Expressing ally identities from privileged positions can create “safe spaces” where all members feel welcome and comfortable.

Resist Favoritism

Transparency in evaluations of student work helps ensure the work environment is not perceived as more beneficial to some groups.

Celebrate Scientific Contributions

Recognition of the many and important scientific accomplishments and societal contributions made by those from diverse groups benefits all students.

Keep Learning

Our campus has professional development resources to help with important dialogues about diversity, equity and inclusion. See the full pdf for links to these resources.