*Have you ever wondered what causes most diversity initiatives to fail? Do you wish to fix them? Well, let’s have a look at a few examples:

Myth #1: Not Enough Latino and Black Americans

Well, this is a myth because the actual problem is that search committees filter through resumes looking for those big-name institutions. We also know that once this problem was recognized, a seven-fold growth was seen for underrepresented groups – and not just Black Americans and Latinos.

Myth #2: Underrepresented Students Look for Extra Help to Succee

We’ve heard a lot of people say that underrepresented students have to work hard to come to par with their peers and all the coursework handed down to them. When experts looked at these numbers closely, it was found that these students were performing equally (if not better than others) in terms of their coursework and milestones.

Myth #3: White Professors Can’t Be Good Mentors for Underrepresented Backgrounds

This is again not true because all of us have seen faculty from non-diverse backgrounds bringing a lot of diversity simply because of their life experiences. This is why the way they view the world and educate others is unique and truly something everyone can gain from.

Myth 4: Colorblind Policies Are the Best 

Diversity is a good thing; people shouldn’t be taught to be part of a monolith – no matter what their background is. The policy shouldn’t be to enforce homogeneity, to make people assimilate. This very thought can turn out to be a very dangerous thing. Classes shouldn’t just be filled up by diverse faces; these students should be allowed to truly own their diverse background.

The scientific community should welcome new ideas and each of these ideas should be embraced in good faith. The idea is to entertain without bias and dismiss none of them in an outright way. Different people may have different solutions to one problem – and this is brilliant. This is exactly how the field of science can truly transform.

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