Pathways To Pipeline - Relationships That Promote Diversity

Despite a growing thrust towards increasing diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pipeline, marginalizing practices and climates impacting equity and inclusion for underrepresented minorities (URMs) and women are still very present within the academia, industry and government agencies, including those who are strongly focused on solving this challenge. This narrative review explores how the Office of Educational Programs at Brookhaven National Laboratory, a multipurpose research institution funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, has worked to effect change for its research community. Grassroots actions by staff, departmental collaborators, and incentivized programming can provide multiple mechanisms for change, creating more pathways into the pipeline of scientific research at this national laboratory. This review examines case studies of the roles of educational and workforce development programs, leadership support, employee group initiatives, university and the professoriate, and institutional practices in actionizing change that have expanded pathways for diverse groups to participate in national laboratory research. Overall, diversity goals are achieved with relationship building, grassroot engagements, promoting authentic opportunities, and trust to promote durable collaborations. Key words: diversity, relationship, collaborations, national laboratory, research, STEM, workforce development, URMs