India Develops Framework to Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in STEM Fields
A high-level expert consultation held at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi, has taken a significant step towards creating a framework that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) fields.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India convened the consultation to develop a draft Self-Assessment and Reporting Framework (SARF) on DEIA in STEMM. The lack of disaggregated data based on comprehensive DEIA indicators is being identified as a major barrier to evidence-driven policymaking in this field.
Attended by experts from academia, think tanks, civil society, industry, and government, the consultation aimed to brainstorm and discuss the conceptualization of the framework. The discussions focused on incorporating aspects such as gender equity, promoting historically underserved groups, diversity of thoughts, disciplines, perspectives, and experiences, plurality of knowledge and languages, and just, ethical, and open sciences.
The experts emphasized the importance of nuanced disaggregation of indicators to effectively capture the multifaceted dimensions of DEIA. They also highlighted the critical interplay between technology and DEIA, noting how digital spaces and technologies can create new forms of challenges to inclusion and access.
The framework, which will assess and collate existing DEIA-related efforts in Indian STEMM organizations using 5 overarching parameters, aims to capture not only policies and instruments but also institutional culture, sensitization, affirmative spaces, and care ecosystems. The consultation concluded that the framework should be seen as an analytical resource to foster institutional self-assessment, actionable strategies, and cultural transformation.
Following the expert consultation, the DEIA in STEMM Self-Assessment and Reporting Framework (DEIA-STEMM-SARF) will undergo revisions and be presented to decision-makers for further uptake. A capacity-building module on the framework is also being proposed in partnership with the Capacity Building Commission (CBC).
This marks a significant step towards promoting DEIA in Indian STEMM fields, which is essential for driving inclusive and holistic development in these areas.
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Source: Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI