Search, (en)Joy, Speak Back: Redefining “Good” Science to Transform and Diversify Academia & Beyond

Imagine if our institutions and societies encouraged and made possible a greater diversity of who can become a scientist. Who would become a scientist? What would they study? What knowledge would they produce and how would they share it? Motivated by these questions, the talk explores a call to dismantle the master narrative of “good” science (neutral, objective,  limited to an elite group) in order to conduct science that does good. Additionally, the talk offers art-based tools as alternative forms of engagement to transform and diversify science. The talk creates a vision of science comprised of diverse individuals rarely seen in positions of power at European universities (minoritized, international, gender diverse). We first present two German-Dutch podcasts, (Re)searching Diversity and Joy of Academia. Both highlight contemporary minoritized scientists across various countries and disciplines--psychology, education, sociology, and legal studies--sharing how they became scientists, what they research, and what they advise for the next generation. Then, we present a Belgian-Dutch grassroots online platform Black Speaks Back dedicated to amplifying Black narratives through art-based research and poetic short films. 

The outputs of the podcasts and platform are accessible, unique, and a growing archive of underrepresented stories and scientific knowledge. By centering diverse knowledge producers we shift and broaden public perception of scientists to recognize the great diversity of people and research topics that address both the challenges and joys of living and researching in a dynamic and pluralistic society.