Building a diverse and inclusive plant science community.
Paterlini A, Uhereczky A, Benitez-Alfonso Y, Goormachtig S, Mehta D
Diversity Inclusion
PubMedMore diverse scientific teams are better at solving complex problems — which means the people figuring out how to grow food in a changing climate, or breed disease-resistant crops for your garden, will do that work better if the field stops driving talented people away.
Plant science, like many fields, can feel unwelcoming to people who don't fit the traditional mold, and many talented individuals end up leaving as a result. Research shows that diverse groups of people are actually better at creative problem-solving, so this isn't just a fairness issue — it affects the quality of the science itself. This paper lays out practical steps that universities, professional organizations, teachers, and individual scientists can all take to make the field feel like it belongs to everyone.
Key Findings
Studies show a measurable correlation between increased diversity in a team and improved creative problem-solving ability.
Many people leave plant science not due to lack of ability or interest, but because the culture feels alienating or intimidating.
Change requires action at multiple levels simultaneously — institutions, organizations, educators, and individual scientists all have a role to play.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A group of plant scientists outlines concrete strategies for making plant science more welcoming and inclusive, arguing that losing talented people due to a hostile or intimidating culture is a problem the field literally cannot afford.
Abstract Preview
For many people, the culture of plant science, and science more broadly, can feel alienating and intimidating, which often leads to them leaving the discipline for other opportunities. However, stu...
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