02693nas a2200313   4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653004100079653002400120653003400144100001800178700001700196700001400213700001400227700001500241700001200256700001300268700001500281700001400296700001700310700001600327700001500343245011800358856010900476300000900585490000600594520176500600022001402365       2023                            d  bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aGeneral Earth and Planetary Sciences10aGeneral Engineering10aGeneral Environmental Science1 aKasprowicz VO1 aWaddilove KD1 aChopera D1 aKhumalo S1 aHarilall S1 aWong EB1 aKarita E1 aSanders EJ1 aKilembe W1 aGaseitsiwe S1 aNdung’u T1 aRobinson J00aDeveloping a diversity, equity and inclusion compass to guide scientific capacity strengthening efforts in Africa  uhttps://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002339&type=printable  a1-220 v33 a<p>Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science is vital to improve the scientific process and ensure societal uptake and application of scientific results. DEI challenges include a full spectrum of issues from the lack of, and promotion of, women in science, to the numerous barriers in place that limit representation of African scientists in global scientific efforts. DEI principles in African science remain relatively underdeveloped, with limited engagement and discussion among all stakeholders to ensure that initiatives are relevant to local environments. The Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV research Excellence (SANTHE) is a network of African-led research in HIV, tuberculosis (TB), associated co-morbidities, and emerging pathogens, now based in eight African countries. Our aim, as a scientific capacity strengthening network, was to collaboratively produce a set of DEI guidelines and to represent them visually as a DEI compass. We implemented a consortium-wide survey, focus group discussions and a workshop where we were able to identify the key DEI challenges as viewed by scientists and support staff within the SANTHE network. Three thematic areas were identified: 1. Conquering Biases, 2. Respecting the Needs of a Diverse Workforce (including mental health challenges, physical disability, career stability issues, demands of parenthood, and female-specific challenges), and 3. Promotion of African Science. From this we constructed a compass that included proposed steps to start addressing these issues. The use of the compass metaphor allows ‘re-adjustment/re-positioning’ making this a dynamic output. The compass can become a tool to establish an institution’s DEI priorities and then to progress towards them.</p>
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