Post-doctoral fellow and faculty perceptions and experiences of inclusion at academic medical centers

TL;DR

This study explores how underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers experience inclusion in academic medical centers and identifies factors that promote or hinder their sense of belonging.

Contribution

The study provides new qualitative insights into inclusion experiences and barriers for underrepresented researchers in academic settings.

Findings

Flexible and fulfilling work environments enhance feelings of inclusion among participants.

Psychological safety and a sense of belonging are closely linked to inclusion in the research community.

Microaggressions and discrimination negatively impact inclusion experiences despite institutional DEI efforts.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to understand perceptions and experiences of inclusion among underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers (postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty) enrolled in the Building Up study. Because inclusion is vital to job satisfaction and engagement, our goal was to shed light on aspects of and barriers to inclusion within the academic workforce.

We used qualitative interviews to assess workplace experiences of 25 underrepresented postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty including: their daily work experiences; sense of the workplace culture within the institutions; experiences with microaggressions, racism, and discrimination; and whether the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices at their institution enhanced their experiences. Using qualitative methods, we identified themes that highlighted high-level characteristics of inclusion.

Four distinct themes were identified: (1) participants appreciated the flexibility, versatility, and sense of fulfillment of their positions which enhanced feelings of inclusion; (2) greater psychological safety led to a greater sense of belonging to a research community; (3) participants had varied experiences of inclusion in the presence of microaggressions, racism, and discrimination; and (4) access to opportunities and resources increased feelings of value within the workplace.

Our findings provide new insight into how inclusion is experienced within the institution among underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers. This research points to specific approaches that could be used to enhance experiences of inclusion and to address barriers. More research is needed to understand how to accomplish a balance between the two, so that perceptions of inclusion outweigh negative experiences.

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