About us
We are a trainee-led committee established in 2019, initially to help increase diversity and representation at the NIDA IRP seminar series. Since then, we have broadened in scope to promote and celebrate diversity within the NIDA IRP. We received the 2020 NIDA Director’s Award for Diversity in recognition of our work.
We recognize that a trainee’s primary responsibility is laboratory or clinical work and that this comes above all. Yet we also believe that scientific research is strongly intertwined with principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity and that, as Dr. Francis Collins emphasizes, these are public-health issues and are thus central to NIH’s mission. We strive to build a more equitable work environment and foster a supportive and inclusive community, which we hope will ultimately contribute to better science and improved human health.
Mission statement
(1) To foster an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the sharing of perspectives and in which everyone is and feels valued as an individual, (2) to advocate for improvements in diversity and representation in NIDA IRP seminars and professional-development programming, and (3) to promote equity, such that everyone has an equal chance to further their career and the overall NIDA mission. We aim to achieve these goals through educational initiatives and activities that bring awareness to and combat harmful beliefs and stereotypes, in order to create a space for conversations about accountability and growth.</P
Committee structure
Our committee is divided into the following three subgroups.
Seminar series subgroup
This subgroup proposes speakers for the NIDA IRP seminar series to help increase its diversity and representation; these seminars constitute a Diversity & Inclusion (DiveIn) series within the NIDA IRP seminar series. Speakers usually fit into one of two general categories: those with a strong track record of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or those from historically underrepresented backgrounds carrying out addiction-related science.
Previous Diversity & Inclusion (DiveIn) Seminars
- September 29, 2020. Dr. Hannah Valantine, Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity, NIH. “NIH’s Scientific Approach to Inclusive Excellence.” In partnership with the NIDA Racial Equity Initiative.
- October 6, 2020. Kurt Schmoke, President, University of Baltimore. “Drug Policy Reform, A Mayor’s Perspective.” In partnership with the NIDA Racial Equity Initiative.
- November 18, 2021. Discussion on the article, “Health Equity Tourists: How white scholars are colonizing research on health disparities”.
Discussion subgroup
This subgroup organizes discussion-group sessions on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sometimes coordinated with DiveIn seminars.
Previous Discussion Sessions
- November 17, 2020. Discussion session on Dr. Hannah Valantine’s seminar.
- February 5, 2021. The Hill We Climb: A Conversation with Women Scientists. In partnership with NIA and NIDA Women Scientist Advisors.
Newsletter subgroup
This subgroup crafts email announcements and newsletters sent to NIDA IRP staff, usually to celebrate national-heritage months and other nationally recognized days or weeks, or to acknowledge traumatic current events in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.
Outreach subgroup
This subgroup organizes opportunities for IDEA committee members to volunteer with Baltimore City Schools, with the goals of: improving awareness of and access to careers in science among underserved communities; and bringing awareness to substance use disorders and combatting stereotypes and misconceptions about them. Efforts have included visiting local high schools to discuss research and training opportunities offered at NIDA.
Contact
We always welcome new members! For information about the IDEA committee or to join, please contact Sarah Claypool (sarah.claypool@nih.gov), Diana Pham (diana.pham@nih.gov), or Zach Demko (zach.demko@nih.gov).
