Value of Cultural Diversity in Science and Discovery

It is well known that underrepresented minorities and females are severely underrepresented in both science and industry. This impacts industrial microbiology and biotechnology well beyond the issues of social justice and job equity. Interactions among scientists of different genders and backgrounds encourage and foment innovation and spark ideas concerning potential new lines of evidence, novel applications, unique questions, and alternate explanations. Diverse perspectives and values also affect a scientist’s, educator’s or manager’s choice of methods for solving problems and accomplishing tasks. This presentation will address some of the benefits of ethnic and gender diversity in enhancing the discovery process and productivity in the industrial microbiology and biotechnology sector.