Diverse voices on teams contribute to new knowledge and innovation.  A growing body of literature calls for “diversity” on scientific teams to create more effective and meaningful outcomes.  SciTS literature has repeatedly found that diversity (of gender, ethnicity, and scientific discipline) in scientific teams helps build collective intelligence and create new knowledge (Bear & Woolley, 2011; Kaner, Lind, Toldi, Fisk, & Berger, 2014; Woolley, Chabris, Pentland, Hashmi, & Malone, 2010).  Diversity supports more divergent thinking, discourages group think, enhances innovation, and ultimately can help the team develop unique ideas (Smith-Doerr, Alegria, & Sacco, 2017).  Diversity is a critical function of scientific teams.  Divergent Science LLC is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of our business.  Diversity is more than just something to be achieved – it is the foundation of truly revolutionary, divergent science.  

References

Bear, J. B., & Woolley, A. W. (2011). The Role of Gender in Team Collaboration and Performance. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 36(2), 146–153. https://doi.org/10.1179/030801811X13013181961473

Kaner, S., Lind, L., Toldi, C., Fisk, S., & Berger, D. (2014). Facilitator’s guide to participatory decision-making, second edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Smith-Doerr, L., Alegria, S., & Sacco, T. (2017). How Diversity Matters in the US Science and Engineering Workforce: A Critical Review Considering Integration in Teams, Fields, and Organizational Contexts. Engaging Science, Technology, and Society, 3(0), 139. https://doi.org/10.17351/ests2017.142

Woolley, A. W., Chabris, C. F., Pentland, A., Hashmi, N., & Malone, T. W. (2010). Evidence for a collective intelligence factor in the performance of human groups. Science, 330(6004), 686–688. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1193147