Applied Theatre Facilitates Dialogue about Career Challenges for Scientists

Abstract

The design of programs in support of a strong, diverse, and inclusive scientific workforce and academe requires numerous difficult conversations about sensitive topics such as the challenges scientists can face in their professional development. Theatre can be an interactive and effective way to foster discussion around such subjects. This article examines the implementation and benefits of such interactive strategies in different contexts, including the benefits of getting early career academics and professionals talking about some of the situations that women and underrepresented minorities face in the workplace, while allowing more seasoned professionals and colleagues to join in the conversation.

Scientific societies advancing STEM workforce diversity: Lessons and Outcomes from the Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology

“…on, the workshop included opportunities for interested attendees to submit grants or manuscripts in advance for review and feedback from workshop and ASCB faculty. More recently, the MAC deployed new methods to advance diversity and inclusion goals, including adapting an applied theater approach to build skills in conflict resolution and managing difficult professional interactions for female and URM postdocs and junior faculty (21). Ultimately, some of the elements of this workshop were earmarked as ideas for seeding new programming.…”

“…The success of the programs outlined above was regularly assessed by anonymous surveys administered to participants by an external evaluator. The majority of participants consistently reported positive objective outcomes and specific benefits of MAC programs, including enhanced networking, successful grant applications, promotions and other professional advancement, publications, research collaborations and curricular practices (21)(22).…”

Scientific Societies Advancing STEM Workforce Diversity: Lessons and Outcomes from the Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology

“…The success of the programs outlined above was regularly assessed by anonymous surveys administered to participants by an external evaluator. There was consistently a majority of participants who reported positive objective outcomes and specific benefits of MAC programs, including enhanced networking, successful grant applications, promotions and other professional advancement, publications, research collaborations, and curricular practices (21,22).…”

“…Early on, the workshop included opportunities for interested attendees to submit grants or manuscripts in advance for review and feedback from workshop and ASCB faculty. More recently, the MAC deployed new methods to advance diversity and inclusion goals, including adapting an applied theater approach to build skills in conflict resolution and management of difficult professional interactions for female and URM postdocs and junior faculty (21). Ultimately, some of the elements of this workshop were earmarked as ideas for seeding new programming.…”