NCATS Director Statement in Support of Diverse and Inclusive Meetings and Conferences

NCATS Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., stands in front of a high-throughput screening robot in NCATS' laboratory. (Daniel Soñé Photography, LLC)

July 15, 2019

A key to advancing the burgeoning field of translational science is a highly skilled, creative and diverse translational science workforce. NCATS is committed to ensuring that the translational science workforce is broadly representative across racial, ethnic, sex, gender, age, socioeconomic, geographic and disability status. There are many benefits that flow from a diverse scientific workforce. Key among them is the ability to enhance scientific innovation, something I often emphasize is critical to successful translation.

I support the announcement from NIH Director Francis Collins to encourage more inclusion and diversity in speaking panels and to decline invitations to conferences or meetings when “attention to inclusiveness is not evident in the agenda.” Therefore, moving forward, I will accept speaking invitations only for events where the speakers, panelists and other key participants reflect the diversity of the field or interest area.

Translation is a team sport. Working together to promote diversity in science contributes to our ultimate goal of delivering more treatments to more patients more quickly.