Equity in Practice: How Technicians, Students, and Communities Contribute to Scientific Research

Caitlin D. Wylie
Assistant professor of Science, Technology, and Society in UVA’s School of Engineering and Applied Science

This event is part of our Social and Decision Analytics Seminar Series. 

Abstract: Collaboration is a crucial part of science and comes in many forms. One might assume that research collaborations are primarily between scientists, but other members of research teams make key contributions that are often overlooked or taken for granted. For example, technicians, undergraduate students, and community members contribute wide-ranging knowledge, diverse perspectives, and refreshingly open-minded questions and ideas to research teams. Based on her sociological studies of technicians in paleontology, undergraduates in engineering, and a research team of Arctic residents and environmental scientists, Dr. Wylie demonstrates the critical importance of inclusive research teams. Paying attention to everyone who participates in research enriches how one thinks about collaboration, science, and what is worth knowing.