Tips for easing the service burden on scientists from underrepresented groups

During Neil’s first semester as a faculty member, a group of Black undergraduates came by his office to welcome him to the department. It was a kind gesture that he remembers fondly, but one of the things they said stuck with him: “We’re so happy that you’re here. We never thought there would ever be another one,” by which they meant another Black professor.

At first, he thought it was an odd statement. Why did they doubt that there could be two Black professors in the same department? But then Neil remembered being in their shoes. As an undergraduate, he’d spent 4 years at the same university double-majoring in economics and psychology and was never once taught by a professor who looked like him. The first time he met a Black professor was when his university flew one in from 5000 kilometers away to speak about the consequences of being underrepresented on university campuses.

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