We need to address ableism in science

• Authors: Raven J Peterson, Emory University
• Journal Title: Molecular Biology of the Cell
• Volume: Volume 32, Number 7
• Publisher: The American Society for Cell Biology | 2021-04-01, Pages 507-510
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1091/MBC.E20-09-0616
• Subjects: Biology, Cell; Chemistry, Biochemistry
• Keywords: Engineering; Humans; Mathematics; Prejudice; Science; Students; Technology; United States

Abstract

In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, disabled people remain a significantly underrepresented part of the workforce. Recent data suggests that about 20% of undergraduates in the United States have disabilities, but representation in STEM fields is consistently lower than in the general population. Of those earning STEM degrees, only about 10% of undergraduates, 6% of graduate students, and 2% of doctoral students identify as disabled. This suggests that STEM fields have difficulty recruiting and retaining disabled students, which ultimately hurts the field, because disabled scientists bring unique problem-solving perspectives and input. This essay briefly explores the ways in which ableism - prejudice against disabled people based on the assumption that they are "less than"their nondisabled peers - in research contributes to the exclusion of disabled scientists and suggests ways in which the scientific community can improve accessibility and promote the inclusion of disabled scientists in academic science.