RESUMO
Researchers in the Global South (GS, developing countries) make valuable contributions to the field of comparative physiology, but face economic and scientific disparities and several unique challenges compared with colleagues in the Global North (developed countries). This Perspective highlights some of the challenges, knowledge gaps and disparities in opportunity faced by GS researchers, especially those at early-career stages. We propose collaborative solutions to help address these issues, and advocate for promoting investment and cultural and societal change for a more inclusive research community. Additionally, we highlight the role of GS researchers in contributing expert knowledge on local biodiversity and the environment; this knowledge can help to shape the future of comparative physiology, allowing us to achieve a better understanding of the evolution of physiological mechanisms and to develop innovative solutions to environmental and biomedical challenges. With this Perspective, we hope to highlight the need to foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive research landscape in comparative physiology; one that empowers GS scientists to address the global challenges associated with biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental pollution.
Assuntos
Fisiologia Comparada , Pesquisadores , Fisiologia Comparada/tendências , Países em Desenvolvimento , Biodiversidade , Humanos , Animais , Mudança ClimáticaRESUMO
In an attempt to address the large inequities faced by the plant biology communities from the Global South (i.e. countries located around the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere) at international conferences, this Viewpoint is the reflexive thinking arising from the concurrent session titled 'Arabidopsis and its translational research in the Global South' organized at the International Conference of Arabidopsis Research 2023 (ICAR 2023) in Chiba, Japan in June 2023. Here, we highlight the main obstacles plant biology communities in the Global South face in terms of knowledge production, as measured by the unequal production and citation of publications, investigating and advancing local plant genomics and biodiversity, combating disparities in gender and diversity, and current initiatives to break isolation of scientists.
Assuntos
Pesquisa , Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/fisiologia , Biodiversidade , Botânica , Plantas/genéticaRESUMO
Background: There are limited data on unconscious bias in healthcare, but there is consistent evidence that it alters clinical decision-making. COVID-19 exacerbated many pre-existing disparities, and this paper seeks to identify, deconstruct, and propose mitigation strategies for a few of them. Discussion: Five of the largest disparities amplified by the pandemic are discussed in this paper. Older people, Black people, uninsured people, rural communities, and people with lower education levels have been disproportionally affected in both morbidity and mortality. Conclusions: The disparities discussed above did not occur in a vacuum but are the result of systemic issues. Equity starts with understanding and addressing the root cause, and it can be worked toward with practical and impactful solutions.
RESUMO
Narrative letters of recommendation (NLORs) have become key elements of the application process for residency and fellowship. The potential to inadvertently admit bias into these subjective narratives has become an area of research focus across many disciplines. In the present review, we have highlighted the current data regarding bias in NLORs. We also believe that one of the most effective methods to eliminate bias from written recommendations is to first understand that it exists. Thus, the objective measures that have been taken to identify bias in NLORs are important steps in the right direction. We have presented and reflected on the accrued data on bias in NLORs pertaining to surgical training.