Prof. Lombe & Colleagues Lead BU CTSI Knowledge-Sharing Event on How to Diversify the Research Workforce
There are clear advantages to having a diverse research workforce: it can rectify systemic inequalities by better addressing the needs and concerns of different populations, improve problem solving by integrating diverse experiences throughout the research process, and help institutions remain competitive in increasingly globalized fields. This important topic was explored at an event hosted and funded by The BU Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) led by a research team that included Prof. Margaret Lombe from BU School of Social Work (BUSSW); Lea Vugic (BUSSW doctoral student) and Tee Thatch (BUSSW MSW student); BU College of Arts and Science student Cindy Hu; and Johanna Chesley, a senior director from Boston Medical Center. The goal of the event was to identify collaborative approaches that can be developed in Boston to diversify and strengthen the city’s research workforce.
Monique Tu’ Nguyen, executive director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, opened the event, which included key CTSI partners from Boston academic centers, community organizations, and government representatives who discussed diverse workforce strategies and finding innovative ways to engage the next generation of research staff.