Facing Racism and Sexism in Science by Fighting Against Social Implicit Bias: A Latina and Black Woman’s Perspective

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Karin C. Calaza¹  Jasmin B. Stariolo¹  Eliane Volchan²  Leticia de Oliveira³  Fátima C. S. Erthal²  Mirtes G. Pereira³  Kita C. D. Macario⁴  Verônica T. Daflon⁵  Isabel P. A. David³  Helena C. Castro⁶  Maria D. Vargas⁷  Laura B. Martins³ 

[1] Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense;Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro;Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense;Department of Physics, Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal Fluminense;Department of Sociology and Methodology of Social Sciences, Institute of Human Sciences and Philosophy, Universidade Federal Fluminense;Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense;Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense

关键词: implicit bias;    stereotype threat;    gender inequalities;    diversity;    underrepresented groups;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671481

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The editors of several major journals have recently asserted the importance of combating racism and sexism in science. This is especially relevant now, as the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a widening of the gender and racial/ethnicity gaps. Implicit bias is a crucial component in this fight. Negative stereotypes that are socially constructed in a given culture are frequently associated with implicit bias (which is unconscious or not perceived). In the present article, we point to scientific evidence that shows the presence of implicit bias in the academic community, contributing to strongly damaging unconscious evaluations and judgments of individuals or groups. Additionally, we suggest several actions aimed at (1) editors and reviewers of scientific journals (2) people in positions of power within funding agencies and research institutions, and (3) members of selection committees to mitigate this effect. These recommendations are based on the experience of a group of Latinx American scientists comprising Black and Latina women, teachers, and undergraduate students who participate in women in science working group at universities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With this article, we hope to contribute to reflections, actions, and the development of institutional policies that enable and consolidate diversity in science and reduce disparities based on gender and race/ethnicity.

【 授权许可】

CC BY