Diversity Statements

Guiding Principles

ASM’s guiding principles provide unwavering guidance for equity and inclusion efforts and serve to communicate core values:

• Diversity Is an Asset—A diverse ASM enhances the microbial sciences, increases innovation, strengthens the community and sustains the profession.
• Diverse Leadership—ASM empowers individuals with diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
• Transparency—ASM ensures equitable access and accountability through transparent procedures and communication.
• Community Building—ASM attracts, supports and develops the community, ensuring that all are empowered and engaged in the work of the organization.

ASM's IDEAA Strategy Roadmap

Over the last year the interim IDEAA Committee members have identified a list of key priorities that will be used to guide ASM's DEI strategy in 2022 and beyond.

ASM MOSAIC Program

The ASM MOSAIC Program is a 5-year initiative, supported by the NIH, that will support early-career scientists from underrepresented groups as they transition successfully from postdoctoral positions to tenure-track faculty positions. The program will support scholars to achieve robust careers as microbiologists and immunologists and prepare them to mentor the next generation of scientists.

The MicroBio-LEAP Project

ASM’s MicroBio-LEAP project, funded by NSF, trains leaders to embody IDEAA and promote sustained cultural change within their workplaces and organizations. Are you—or someone you know—a leader in the microbial sciences and interested in an opportunity to gain the skills necessary to champion DEI in your field? We encourage you to apply for the Microbiology Leaders Evolving and Accountable to Progress (MicroBio-LEAP) Training-of-Leaders (ToL) Scholars Program, dedicated to fostering the embodiment of inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA) and making the field more welcoming of individuals belonging to historically excluded groups (HEGs) in STEM

Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship

The ASM Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship (FMLF) supports master's and doctoral graduate students from underrepresented groups as they seek mentorship in educational, career and leadership development. FLMF is a 2-3 year program that matches master’s and doctoral students from historically excluded communities in the microbial sciences with experts (mentors) across varied career sectors—providing networking opportunities with ASM members and nonstudents alike and increasing social capital between fellows and mentors.

Events

Hosting the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritzed Scientists (ABRCMS)

The first ABRCMS hosted by ASM in 2001, was founded to encourage minority, first-generation, veteran and disabled students to pursue higher education in STEM. Today, ABRCMS is one of the largest professional conferences for underrepresented students.

Picture a Scientist Screening

ASM members and special guest Dr. Jane Willenbring discuss the film Picture a Scientist and the ongoing pervasive nature of bias and sexual harassment in STEM fields. ASM is committed to addressing these issues and advancing inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA) in STEM.

ASM Journals

ASM Journals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collection

Explore the ASM Journals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collection—a multi-journal collection of DEI-related articles published in ASM's journals over the past 2 years. This collection focuses on articles that address topics related to inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability. Such topics include:

• Challenges faced by microbiologists from underrepresented groups.
• Inclusive accommodations for scientists and students with disabilities.
• Fostering DEI in STEM education.
• Disproportionate disease outcomes for geographically and demographically underserved groups.

Author Name Change Pathway

ASM Journals has created a pathway for authors to request name change updates to their published record that does not require evidence of legal name change or identification.

Spotlight profile articles highlight the work and experiences of microbiologists from a diversity of backgrounds and identities in science. 

Advocating for Policies that Embrace DEI

We advocate for policies that embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in science because doing so leads to better science and greater scientific advancement. On Friday, Oct. 23, the ASM Subcommittee on Microbiological Issues Impacting Minorities held a congressional briefing entitled, "Strengthening Career Pathways in Science for Underrepresented Groups," to highlight the necessity of diversity and inclusion policies in STEM. The discussion was targeted at Congressional staff and other federal policymakers to encourage them to continue and build on advancements made by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Get Involved With ASM

Interested in becoming involved with ASM’s DEI efforts?

• View open nominations for ASM Journals editor positions.
• Learn how the American Academy of Microbiology incorporates DEI in their fellowship election criteria. Then consider nominating a fellow.
• ASM is a proud partner of the Black Microbiologists Association (BMA). Stay tuned for Black in Micro Week updates. 
• Explore opportunities to volunteer for ASM’s IDEAA web writing team.
• Volunteer as a committee member.