When the undergraduate of color I currently mentor told me she’d decided she wanted to go to graduate school and get her PhD, I had a huge mix of reactions. I was of course ecstatic that she wanted to take on this career path (because science is awesome!), and the fact that I probably had at least some part in inspiring this decision was humbling. Yet, there was a lot of anxiety too, for her mental health and overall well-being. The academic culture of the biosciences is far from the inclusive environment that would have women of color thriving without a lot of outside resources and support. This range of emotions got me thinking about all the things I wish I had been told before embarking on an academic career. Here, I am only posting a total of about 30 from what is otherwise a hundred or so pages of advice. I recognize that there is much more to say on this topic than what I’ve put to paper, other scientists of colors will have different experiences from mine, and if I ever make it to a faculty position, I’m sure all of this will need to be updated anyway. Therefore, whatever the final form might be, I’m hoping it will be more of a living document.
Biosciences Culture and Covert Racism: A Beginner’s Guide
The general culture of the biosciences, the mindsets of people therein, and how covert racism slips into the cracks no one is attending. Also includes a discussion of microaggressions and their impacts. This is not meant to be a comprehensive discussion on structural racism by any means, but simply where one might find it in academia (and possibly elsewhere) if they know how and where to look.
For more on structural racism, please check out my Diversity Statement.
Life at the Lab Bench: What does it mean to do science?
Describes my approach to doing high quality science, and contains some lessons I learned the hard way in graduate school.
Beyond the lab bench: Communicating your science
Describes my approach to communicating science, as a necessary part of the research process.
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” and the roles of women of color
Describes my story with formalized DEI work, how taking on this role impacts people of color, and is there an alternative?
Andrea L McQuate 