Belonging and opportunity for all: ASBMB’s enduring commitment

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is committed to advancing belonging and opportunity for all as we pursue the society’s mission. What does this commitment mean to ASBMB? It means:

ASBMB seeks to create opportunity for all to advance science and it affirms global values of commitment, excellence, determination and initiative. ASBMB is proud of its decades-long dedication to promoting scientific excellence and leading inclusive practices that encourage all who have a talent and interest in molecular life sciences.

ASBMB knows that cultivating and tapping all available talent is essential for scientific progress and solutions amid the growing scale and number of global challenges. These include addressing chronic and acute diseases, supporting agriculture and quality food systems, and fostering economic growth, among others. Scientists who have varied life experiences provide different insights when faced with complex life science questions. Ample research demonstrates that more diverse teams generate more creative, effective outcomes. Everyone benefits when individuals with a broad range of unique insights, perspectives, backgrounds and values come together to serve a common scientific goal.

ASBMB understands that while many people have the interest and potential to contribute to science, not all individuals have had equal opportunities to engage fully in it. Differences in access can result from various societal barriers, such as limited educational opportunity, fewer economic resources, and cultural assumptions. Thus, to draw on a full range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, ASBMB seeks to increase access for all to science careers, promote equal opportunity and professional development for all who wish to engage in science, and welcome and support scientists as they navigate their education and careers.

ASBMB continues, within its capacity, to facilitate full program participation by a broad range of people and communicates that all people are welcome in our community. Our membership and programs are open to all eligible people and do not discriminate. We consistently communicate our support for full and inclusive participation in the scientific enterprise, both within ASBMB and beyond. We also recognize that our programs and decisions are better informed through input and feedback from participants, which in turn help them feel understood, valued and accepted.

ASBMB affirms that our community, decisions, and actions benefit from a broad range of perspectives and periodic review of programs to align with our values. The society actively strives for its membership and leadership to reflect a variety of inputs to advance molecular life science discovery necessary for the good of all, through non-exclusionary and nondiscriminatory processes. We also evaluate programs, policies and practices to continually improve our ability to foster a vibrant, welcoming community environment for all.