3. How to Make Science More Inclusive (w/ Ana Sofia Barrows)

Science Sucks

Ana Sofia Barrows (she/her) works in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Ana Sofia has coordinated events, given talks, and written articles focused on advancing EDI in science. Her energy is contagious—I left our interview feeling more energized than ever! If you are working towards making science more inclusive, this episode is required listening. You don't want to miss this.

Quick steps to be more inclusive:
• Acknowledge your implicit biases (try the Harvard Implicit Bias Test)
• Make decisions after acknowledging your biases (don't ignore them)
• Provide alternative text for Instagram pictures (the app has this feature)
• Close caption Instagram stories using an app like Cliptomatic
• Read the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (or your local equivalent) to learn more about making an inclusive space
• Make your slideshow presentations accessible for colorblindness
• Use gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their) when addressing groups of people, instead of "ladies and gentlemen"
• Make sure your events are physically accessible (elevators, ramps)
• Ask events/venues about their accessibility
• If you don't know, ASK an EDI professional (or read articles by them). We're not all diversity experts, and that's okay. Keep learning!
• Apologize when you make a mistake! It's such a simple thing!

The book I talked about:

Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong and the New Research That’s Rewriting the Story

by Angela Saini
Fundraiser to get Inferior into high schools across Canada

News!
Provincial government announces changes to OSAP
Students rally at Queens Park

Where you can find Ana Sofia:
Twitter
Insta

You can find me (your host, Ive) on Twitter, Insta, and YouTube. Let's be friends!

Any feedback on the show? Let us know on Twitter at @ScienceSucksPod.

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