Building a Respectful, Inclusive Culture

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

ABSTRACT A diverse U.S. biomedical research workforce is essential for developing innovation in basic, clinical, translational research and healthcare and is necessary for improving the nation’s health. The proposed University of California (UC) San Diego Building a Respectful, Inclusive Culture (BRIC) Program will develop training modules that will catalyze changes in scientific, clinical, and research training environments optimal for productive learning and research - free from harassment, intimidation, and discrimination - where everyone feels safe and treated in a respectful and supportive manner. The outcomes of a pilot study of the proposed training modules, conducted for a small group of faculty, are highly encouraging. The overarching goal of the UC San Diego BRIC Program is to create a culture of respect, psychological safety and inclusion and support in the academic environment allowing trainees and learners to work and learn in an environment conducive to the pursuit of excellence, free of harassment and discrimination. The specific objectives are: 1) to recruit Health Sciences faculty participants with an emphasis on faculty mentors and researchers that participate in UC San Diego NIH-supported T32 training programs, including four large NIGMS-supported T32 programs and other training programs that focus on individuals underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, such as including the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) and Institutional Research and Career Development Award (IRACDA), 2) to train Health Sciences faculty participants using an evidence-based curriculum tested in our pilot BRIC program to enhance a culture of respect, psychological safety and inclusion and support, 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the BRIC program on training environments using a randomized case/control study design, and 4) to assess the impact of the BRIC program on the Health Sciences climate. We will integrate instruments measuring psychological safety and inclusion into our published Health Sciences Faculty Climate Survey and resurvey our faculty at the end of the proposed study. The UC San Diego BRIC Program is directed by two PIs with a history of mentoring and training. They have been successful in designing and implementing career development and mentoring programs specifically for women and individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. The PIs are both women and one is from an underrepresented background and have led numerous successful faculty career development programs and well-respected track record of leading extramurally-funded training programs. The BRIC Program will be administered centrally through the UC San Diego Health Sciences Office of Faculty Affairs. The BRIC training modules will be made available to the scientific and educational community, as well as to the general public.