Early Career Representative Engagement Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations

In 2022, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) convened the Early Career Representative Engagement Task Force, charged with identifying • needs of early-career scientists that can be addressed by scientific societies and • ways to keep early-career scientist members and representatives on volunteer bodies as active, engaged members throughout their career. Through Task Force deliberation, an online survey of hundreds of early-career scientists, virtual focus group sessions, and consultation of existing data rich resources, clear themes were identified where scientific and professional societies can make a positive impact. Overall, there is a perception among early-career scientists that societies can act as important spaces to find community and support. The Task Force has developed the following best practices for scientific and professional societies to implement in order to support early-career scientists and encourage active membership contributing to the mission of the society throughout their career. A subset of recommendations is directed specifically to FASEB. Theme 1: Networks and Mentors • Recommendation 1.1: Connect scientists beyond local geography and home institution or organization to expand networks and mentors of early-career scientist members. Theme 2: Career Exploration and Career Transition Readiness • Recommendation 2.1: Actively combat negative stereotypes associated with pursuing careers other than academic tenure track research positions through programming and awards. • Recommendation 2.2: Support members preparing for career transition, especially current PhD students and academic postdocs. Theme 3: Safe and Inclusive Environments • Recommendation 3.1: Create programming and awards to promote inclusivity of environments in the scientific ecosystem. • Recommendation 3.2: Strive to diversify leadership, committees, task forces, and similar bodies, as well as staff. Be transparent about the diversity of leadership and track changes over time. • Recommendation 3.3: Create and support affinity-based interest groups to combat isolation. • Recommendation 3.4: If not already in place, establish a harassment policy. Additionally, for all events, enforce a code of conduct. Theme 4: Support for International Scientists in the U.S. • Recommendation 4.1: Despite not being able to change the complexities of the visa process, target programming and awards to support international scientists. Societies may be successful in supporting early-career scientists’ development and increased engagement in the society mission in a variety of ways. However, the Task Force resoundingly concluded that early-career scientist representation in society governance is a key catalyst to ensuring needs of early-career scientists are reflected in society programming, awards, and overall vision. Theme 5: Society Structure and Governance • Recommendation 5.1: Have at least one designated early-career representative on the highest body of governance with voting rights, codified in bylaws. • Recommendation 5.2: Thoughtfully examine limitations placed on certain membership categories and consider revision to promote active participation from all members. • Recommendation 5.3: Maintain an early-career membership category with reduced dues. • Recommendation 5.4: Retain membership for individuals in a variety of career pathways, not only in research. • Recommendation 5.5: Utilize inclusive language in membership category nomenclature as to not diminish other member categories. Ample opportunity exists for societies to engage early-career scientists through programming and awards, aimed to elevate scientists on a national scale and provide opportunities for career growth. Volunteer service for individual projects may result in a larger leadership role over time. Accounting for needs of early-career scientists can help keep early-career scientists involved in the mission of the society as lifelong champions.