Inclusiveness in Open Communities

Project Website:
EMBL Bio-IT: https://bio-it.embl.de/

License: GNU Free Documentation License

Abstract:

Bio-IT (https://bio-it.embl.de) at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) (https://embl.org) is a community-driven initiative established in 2010 to support the development and technical capacity of its diverse bio-computational community. There has been a consistent increase in the number of researchers who use computational techniques in their work in the last decade. As of now, ~50% of researchers at EMBL (out of ~600) devote ≥50% of their time to computational work. Several of these members are service staff who dedicate their time to building or maintaining computational infrastructure and providing computational support to others. The Bio-IT community at EMBL has grown organically, aiming to address the various computational needs in research on campus.

As community coordinators of Bio-IT, we provide support to our members by conducting training events on computing skills, developing/maintaining resources for reproducible science, adopting best practices in our workflow, and creating diverse opportunities for open discussions, participation, and networking. EMBL is a member of de.NBI, the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure, which constitutes ELIXIR Germany. This allows Bio-IT to disseminate its resources to different ELIXIR states. Additionally, we collaborate with other Open Science communities such as The Carpentries, Software Sustainability Institute, and Mozilla to exchange expertise, share resources and bring valuable aspects of the larger and more diverse communities into Bio-IT.

In all these efforts, I work at the intersection of community building, bio-computation, and inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM. In my talk, I will highlight the importance of inclusiveness in open science communities and share some of the lessons learned while adopting them in my work. This talk will benefit other community managers and researchers interested in creating local or virtual sustainable communities and will stimulate discussions around inclusion and representation in technical fields such as computational biology.

Transcript

1. Malvika Sharan Computational Biologist & Community Outreach Coordinator Inclusiveness in Open Science Communities Bioinformatics Open Source Conference, 25.07.2019 @malvikasharan
2. About me • Computational biologist in European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
3. About me • Computational biologist in European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) • PhD research in bioinformatics (RNA and infection biology), Germany (2016)
4. About me • Computational biologist in European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) • PhD research in bioinformatics (RNA and infection biology), Germany (2016) • Community outreach and training at European Molecular Biology Laboratory
6. The Global Scientific Communities
7. Lack of “Global-ness”
8. “Make research resources available online without price barriers and without most permission barriers.” – Suber et. al., 2012 Found a Compromise in Open Science
9. ‘Open Science is an umbrella term that involves various movements to remove barriers from sharing scientific resources at all stages of research’ (FOSTER Project, European Union) Image by @smile_97 on Unsplash
10. ‘Open Science is an umbrella term that involves various movements to remove barriers from sharing scientific resources at all stages of research’ (FOSTER Project, European Union) Open Access Open Source Citizen Science Scientific network Open Educational Open Peer Review Open Notebooks Open Data … Image by @smile_97 on Unsplash
11. • Research & Engineering is more relevant globally than ever • . • . Open Science Communities Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
12. • Research & Engineering is more relevant globally than ever • . • Information sharing (data, code etc.) facilitates advancement of the technologies • . • . Open Science Communities Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
13. • Research & Engineering is more relevant globally than ever • . • Information sharing (data, code etc.) facilitates advancement of the technologies • . • Invite scientific talents to contribute and collaborate Open Science Communities Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
14. • Research & Engineering is more relevant globally than ever • . • Information sharing (data, code etc.) facilitates advancement of the technologies • . • Invite scientific talents to contribute and collaborate • Training facilitates skill transfer and wider use of technologies Open Science Communities Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
15. • Bioinformatics research • . • Information sharing • . • Inclusive efforts • Training. Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy Open Science Communities
16. Lack of “Global-ness” in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • . • Information sharing • . • Inclusive efforts • Training. Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
17. Lack of “Global-ness” in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • . • Inclusive efforts • Training. • .
18. Lack of “Global-ness” in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • not scalable or reusable for those who lack resources. • Inclusive efforts • Training • . • .
19. Lack of “Global-ness” in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • not scalable or reusable for those who lack resources. • Inclusive efforts • doesn’t always include/support talents from diverse backgrounds. • Training
20. Lack of “Global-ness” in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • not scalable or reusable for those who lack resources. • Inclusive efforts • doesn’t always include/support talents from diverse backgrounds. • Training • not considered a requirement by default.
21. Moving from Open Science to Inclusive Science https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/joining-hands
22. Image by @aaronburden on Unsplash Terminologies: Diversity, Inclusion, Inclusiveness
23. Image by @huuduong, on Unsplash Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) go hand in hand
24. Image by @huuduong, on Unsplash Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) go hand in hand Diversity is the about “attracting different people” of diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences to work together
25. Image by @huuduong, on Unsplash Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) go hand in hand Diversity is the about “attracting different people” of diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences to work together Inclusion is about “empowering them” by providing an environment that brings the best of combined skills, backgrounds and experiences
26. “…inclusion of individuals or groups who were previously excluded” Ref: C. Talmage and R. C. Knopf, Springer International Publishing AG 2017, New Dimensions in Community Well-Being Inclusiveness is.. https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/joining-hands
27. “…inclusion of individuals or groups who were previously excluded” “...measured in terms of eligibility, opportunities, and involvement in decision- making and leadership” Ref: C. Talmage and R. C. Knopf, Springer International Publishing AG 2017, New Dimensions in Community Well-Being Inclusiveness is.. https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/joining-hands
28. “…inclusion of individuals or groups who were previously excluded” “...measured in terms of eligibility, opportunities, and involvement in decision- making and leadership” “...achieved when members share and not compete for resources or power” Ref: C. Talmage and R. C. Knopf, Springer International Publishing AG 2017, New Dimensions in Community Well-Being Inclusiveness is.. https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/joining-hands
29. Inclusion • Process by which a community values, includes and involves diversity to improve its well-being Inclusion vs Inclusiveness 8 Ref: C. Talmage and R. C. Knopf, Springer International Publishing AG 2017, New Dimensions in Community Well-Being Inclusiveness • Outcomes of inclusive policies and actions undertaken in a diverse community to improve its well-being Image by @aaronburden on Unsplash
30. Inclusion • Process by which a community values, includes and involves diversity to improve its well-being • Aims towards providing access to community resources to achieve social equality Inclusion vs Inclusiveness 8 Ref: C. Talmage and R. C. Knopf, Springer International Publishing AG 2017, New Dimensions in Community Well-Being Inclusiveness • Outcomes of inclusive policies and actions undertaken in a diverse community to improve its well-being • Aims towards achieving diversity in community leadership and decision makers Image by @aaronburden on Unsplash
31. https://unsplash.com/photos/IM0GHpsjJic Why is inclusiveness important for Open Communities?
32. Open Science promotes collaborative work culture It democratizes scientific accessibility and engagement
33. Open Science promotes collaborative work culture It democratizes scientific accessibility and engagement Can assure that it will happen
34. Open Science promotes collaborative work culture It democratizes scientific accessibility and engagement Can assure that it will happen
35. Open Science promotes collaborative work culture It democratizes scientific accessibility and engagement Can assure that it will happen • limited funding and infrastructure (economy) • negative encounters based on career stage, culture, language … • from background or identity that is socially stigmatised in past • previously experienced trauma, harassment, or bullying • …
36. Lack of inclusiveness in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • not scalable or reusable for those who lack resources. • Inclusive efforts • doesn’t always include/support talents from diverse backgrounds. • Training • not considered a requirement by default. Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy
37. Lack of inclusiveness in Open Science Communities • Bioinformatics research • reproducibility is often not the main concern. • Information sharing • not scalable or reusable for those who lack resources. • Inclusive efforts • doesn’t always include/support talents from diverse backgrounds. • Training • not considered a requirement by default. Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy Open is not inclusive by default
38. Promoting inclusiveness in Open Science Communities Open By Design Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy • Bioinformatics research • should have low barrier for reproducibility. • Information sharing • should be scalable, not limited by resources. • Inclusive efforts • should be welcoming and supportive. • Training • should empower individuals by skill transfer.
39. Promoting inclusiveness in Open Science Communities Open By Design Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy • Bioinformatics research • should have low barrier for reproducibility. • Information sharing • should be scalable, not limited by resources. • Inclusive efforts • should be welcoming and supportive. • Training • should empower individuals by skill transfer.
40. Promoting inclusiveness in Open Science Communities Open By Design Related reference: Lars Öhrström, Peter Weiderud, Morsy Abu Youssef, and Omar M. Yaghi, “Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?” Science & Diplomacy • Bioinformatics research • should have low barrier for reproducibility. • Information sharing • should be scalable, not limited by resources. • Inclusive efforts • should be welcoming and supportive. • Training • should empower individuals by skill transfer.
41. In addition to scientific methods and techniques, science involves choices about what problems and populations to study, and what procedures and measures to use. In making these choices, diverse perspectives and values are important. Presidential column, Diversity Makes Better Science (2012). Association for Psychological Science. Diverse team leads to better outcome
42. In addition to scientific methods and techniques, science involves choices about what problems and populations to study, and what procedures and measures to use. In making these choices, diverse perspectives and values are important. Presidential column, Diversity Makes Better Science (2012). Association for Psychological Science. Diverse team leads to better outcome https://www.visualcapitalist.com/gender-diversity-bottom-line/
43. A large-scale analysis of bioinformatics code on GitHub Pamela H. Russell et. al., 2019, Plos Comp In addition to scientific methods and techniques, science involves choices about what problems and populations to study, and what procedures and measures to use. In making these choices, diverse perspectives and values are important. Presidential column, Diversity Makes Better Science (2012). Association for Psychological Science. Diverse team leads to better outcome but there is a lack of diversity at decision-making level 12.4 % 6.3 % 13.9 % 1708 Bioinformatics GitHub Repos
44. Katelyn M. Cooper and Sara E. Brownell, Coming Out in Class: Challenges and Benefits of Active Learning in a Biology Classroom for LGBTQIA Students. (2016), doi: 10.1187/cbe.16-01-0074. Image: IOP institute of Physics Inclusiveness for well-being of our community members Image on Unsplash by @priscilladupreez
45. Katelyn M. Cooper and Sara E. Brownell, Coming Out in Class: Challenges and Benefits of Active Learning in a Biology Classroom for LGBTQIA Students. (2016), doi: 10.1187/cbe.16-01-0074. Image: IOP institute of Physics Inclusiveness for well-being of our community members Image on Unsplash by @priscilladupreez When the members of the minority groups feel that they need to keep away from specific spaces or interactions to avoid discrimination and maintain professional authority, they also experience isolation that can negatively affect their mental health.
46. Katelyn M. Cooper and Sara E. Brownell, Coming Out in Class: Challenges and Benefits of Active Learning in a Biology Classroom for LGBTQIA Students. (2016), doi: 10.1187/cbe.16-01-0074. Image: IOP institute of Physics Inclusiveness for well-being of our community members When the members of the minority groups feel that they need to keep away from specific spaces or interactions to avoid discrimination and maintain professional authority, they also experience isolation that can negatively affect their mental health. Working for an organization that is more supportive of the LGBTQ+ community is related to higher job satisfaction and lower job anxiety there is still a prevalent view that it is irrelevant to share LGBTQ+ identities in the scientific workplace. Image on Unsplash by @priscilladupreez
47. Importance of Inclusiveness in my Work
48. European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Image copyright: EMBL EMBL is a Flagship in Europe that serves as a model for organisational structure in other research institutions
49. Austria 1974 Denmark 1974 France 1974 Germany 1974 Israel 1974 Italy 1974 Netherlands 1974 Sweden 1974 Australia 2008 Argentina 2014 India 2018 Switzerland 1974 United Kingdom 1974 Finland 1984 Greece 1984 Norway 1985 Spain 1986 Belgium 1990 Portugal 1998 Member States 24 Associate Member States Ireland 2003 Iceland 2005 Croatia 2006 Luxembourg 2007 Czech Republic 2014 Malta 2016 Hungary 2017 Slovakia 2018 Poland 2014 Lithuania 2015 Prospect Member States EMBL Member States > 1600 people > 80 nationalities
50. EMBL-EBI Hamburg ~50% of researchers are using bioinformatics tools Percentage of bioinformaticians Computation Wet-lab
51. Bio-IT – Bioinformatics community platform in EMBL Toby Hodges
52. Bio-IT – EMBL Bioinformatics Capacity Assessment EMBL Bioinformatics Capacity Assessment. 2009 2012 2015 2019
53. Bio-IT – EMBL Bioinformatics Capacity Assessment EMBL Bioinformatics Capacity Assessment. Average Computational Activities Per year Year % computational activities 2009 2012 2015 2019
54. Bio-IT – Bioinformatics community platform in EMBL Image by: Toby Hodges, Bio-IT, EMBL Training Information sharing Bioinformatics 1. research Inclusive efforts
55. Community Outreach & Training Deputy Training Coordinator of ELIXIR Germany • Provide training in computational skills and bioinformatics • Develop strategies for community engagements and equity • Cooperate with other computational and open source communities
56. Bio-IT – Training efforts Course Overview • Introductory courses for biologists to gain computational skills • Advanced courses for learners to improve skills
57. Bio-IT – Training efforts Course Overview • Introductory courses for biologists to gain computational skills • Advanced courses for learners to improve skills • Including external participants to connect with other researchers
58. Bio-IT – Training efforts Course Overview • Introductory courses for biologists to gain computational skills • Advanced courses for learners to improve skills • Including external participants to connect with other researchers • Teaching in external institutes to improve visibility and exchange values
59. Bio-IT – Training efforts • Introductory courses for biologists to gain computational skills • Advanced courses for learners to improve skills • Including external participants to connect with other researchers • Teaching in external institutes to improve visibility and exchange values • Opportunities for volunteers to teach and gain experience Thea V.R. Wasiu A. Marc G. Florian H. Ivica L. Matt R. Eva-Maria G. Christian T. Jean-Karim H.
60. Bio-IT – Community assessment EMBL Bio-IT Community Assessment Survey: January – March 2019. Total 36 survey respondents Percentage Gender Distribution
61. Bio-IT – Community assessment EMBL Bio-IT Community Assessment Survey: January – March 2019. Total 36 survey respondents Percentage Gender Distribution Current computational activities
62. Bio-IT – Community assessment EMBL Bio-IT Community Assessment Survey: January – March 2019. Total 36 survey respondents Percentage Gender Distribution Current computational activities 70% respondents would like to further increase their computational work Reducing current lab work Increasing PI’s support Consultation by experts Computational collaboration Practice skills with others Get specific training
63. Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
64. • Taskforce meeting with volunteers: involving community members in decision making Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
65. • Taskforce meeting with volunteers: involving community members in decision making • Acknowledging and rewarding volunteers: creating values Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
66. • Taskforce meeting with volunteers: involving community members in decision making • Acknowledging and rewarding volunteers: creating values • Informal seminars, social events, drop-in sessions: building connections Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
67. • Taskforce meeting with volunteers: involving community members in decision making • Acknowledging and rewarding volunteers: creating values • Informal seminars, social events, drop-in sessions: building connections • Community capacity and need assessment: feedback to correct our strategies Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
68. • Taskforce meeting with volunteers: involving community members in decision making • Acknowledging and rewarding volunteers: creating values • Informal seminars, social events, drop-in sessions: building connections • Community capacity and need assessment: feedback to correct our strategies • Annual “Thank you” event: celebrating our contributors and members Bio-IT – Inclusive efforts
69. Involving Local Community Beyond Bio-IT Informal open events on science and related topics
70. Bringing Global Perspective to Bio-IT Volunteer since 2015 Mozilla Open Leader 7 SSI Fellow 2019-20 Supporting since 2012
71. Join as trainer, mentor, mentee, developer, CoC… https://carpentries.org Co-organized the 1st CarpentryCon “Feeling of belonging!” The Carpentries courses as official events every year Image Copyright Berenice Batut
72. Digital Storytelling for Shaping Culture • identifying ways to engage • Understanding the reward system • Creating sustainable resources
73. Digital Storytelling for Shaping Culture • identifying ways to engage • Understanding the reward system • Creating sustainable resources 30 stories of 16 women, 11 Men, 3 non-binary • 4 LGBT members, 8 POC, 7 immigrants • 1 teenager
74. Developing accessible training strategies in smaller communities • Developing central learning resources • Reducing dependencies on advanced researchers • Enhancing engagement and sustainability
75. • Developing central learning resources • Reducing dependencies on advanced researchers • Enhancing engagement and sustainability Developing accessible training strategies in smaller communities
76. plans to develop a community handbook which will be open for contributions.
77. X Image by @dtravisphd on Unsplash My notes on promoting inclusiveness
78. Lead inclusive science by inviting diverse perspectives Image by @ktabori on unsplash
79. Image by @illumire on unsplash Actively share your work with others
80. There are several ways! • Develop sustainable tools • Create accessible resources • Create learning materials • Teach a skill • Run a coding club • Learn about policy (specially about the different groups) • Contribute to open movements • …
81. Image by @clemono2 on Unsplash Shape the culture by engaging with your community
82. Image by @rvignes on Unsplash Support, recommend, acknowledge, advertise, nominate and motivate each other. Be an Ally.
83. Acknowledgements EMBL: Toby Hodges, Toby Gibson, Georg Zeller, Peer Bork, Thea van Rossum, Florian Huber, Jean- Karim Herice, Charles Girodot, Jelle Scholtebar, Eva-Maria Geissen, Matt Rogon, Wasiu Akani, Ivica Lahotska, Mattia Forneris, Gregor Moenke, Nicolas Descostes, Michael Hall, Josep Moscardó, Anna Kreshuk, Dominik Kutra, Jurij Pecar, Tom Schwarzl, Mike Smith, Ivan Berest, Christian Tischer … EMBL alumni: Aidan Budd, Marc Gouw, Laura Howes, Bernd Klaus, Holger Dinkel, Frank Thommen, Grischa Tödt, Jonas Hartmann … de.NBI members, Ulrike Trojahn, Daniel Wibberg, Tanja Dammann-Kalinowski ELIXIR EUROPE: Norman Davey, Berenice Batut, Allegra Via, Mateuz Kuzak, Fotis Psaumopoulos. & many collaborators from The Carpentries, Mozilla, Software Sustainability Institute & beyond. Email: sharan@embl.de, malvikasharan@gmail.com. Twitter, GitHub: @malvikasharan