Photo by Brian Aguado, taken at the SFB 2023 Annual Meeting Black, LatinX, Indigenous, and Persons of Color Mixer

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Society For Biomaterials values diverse perspectives and recognizes that diverse teams are needed to enhance human health and quality of life. We work to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that provides access and opportunity for all of our members and breaks down historical barriers that have marginalized certain communities and individuals. This ongoing work will enable us to better serve and represent the diverse population in the society and profession.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (learn more) is focused on cultivating an inclusive community that respects differences in identity among our members, profession, and the communities we serve. This includes those of race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, dis/ability, socioeconomic class, language, culture, and national identity as well as the myriad ways intersectionality compounds the ways individuals experience these issues. 

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is a standing committee with representation on the governing council. The formation of this committee was codified in the bylaws by a member vote in 2020. The committee’s charge is to consider, advise, and make recommendations to the Council that support the strategic objective to cultivate and promote a diverse and inclusive Society community by increasing access and opportunities. The Committee will ensure that strategic objectives relating to diversity, equity and inclusion are incorporated into the Society’s governance structure, initiatives, awards, and programs.

SFB Code of Conduct

Racial Justice Statement

If you have any comments or concerns that you would like to share with SFB, please contact Dan Lemyre, CAE, SFB Executive Director at dlemyre@biomaterials.org.

NEW FOR 2023! 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award recognizes individuals or organizations promoting anti-racism and or creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for historically excluded groups in the STEM disciplines, especially in the field of biomaterials. This award was created to acknowledge the need to address systemic racism and other biases including ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, dis/ability, socioeconomic class, language, culture, and national identity. The awardee should demonstrate impact on increasing participation and advancement of historically excluded groups in the STEM disciplines, especially those in which biomaterials are a key factor. Although the award may go to a team, an individual team leader will be asked to receive the award on behalf of all those being recognized. The award recognition will be determined from a nomination form and summary, two supporting letters of recommendation, and the curriculum vitae of the nominee.

Learn more about the award, eligibility requirements, and criteria to be considered by clicking HERE. 

Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD Travel Fellowship

Named in honor of a distinguished member of the Society For Biomaterials, Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., the Travel Fellowship will support underrepresented minorities in the field of biomaterials by providing an undergraduate student the resources to attend the annual meeting of the Society For Biomaterials, and to become a member of the Society. The goal of this initiative is to stimulate/encourage recipients to pursue a career in biomaterials.

Learn more and view past awardees HERE. 

Resources on racial bias, how to support, inclusive mentoring:

• Five Activities to Promote Diversity in the Classroom
• Conscious Language Guide
• Mentoring Underrepresented Students in STEMM: A Survey and Discussion by Ebony McGee
• Communicating Your Support for #BlackLivesMatter: Do's, Don'ts, and Resources by 500 Women Scientists
• Next Time Someone Says Racism Isn't Real, Show Them This 3-minute Video 
• Understanding Systemic Anti-Black Racism in the United States: A Reference List 
• Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial Justice 
• Inclusive Mentoring (The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning - Brown University) 
• The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)
• Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege (USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work) 
• Justice in June