Expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to Disability: Opportunities for Biological Psychiatry

Area of Science:

• Biological psychiatry
• Disability studies
• STEM DEI initiatives

Background:

• Existing DEI efforts in biological psychiatry focus on gender and race.
• Biological psychiatry's subject matter uniquely positions it to lead disability DEI.
• Integrating disability into DEI frameworks is crucial for scientific advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline how biological psychiatry can lead STEM DEI initiatives for disability.
• To expand DEI efforts in biological psychiatry to include disability.
• To provide recommendations for disability inclusion in scientific scholarship and practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review across science, philosophy, psychiatry, and disability studies.
• Analysis of existing DEI opportunities in biological psychiatry.
• Exploration of disability inclusion strategies.

Main Results:

• Biological psychiatry has opportunities to advance DEI for gender and race.
• Expansion to disability inclusion requires focus on representation, access, and community accountability.
• Incorporating first-person testimony and revising theoretical frameworks for pathology are key.

Conclusions:

• Biological psychiatry can be a transformative force in biological sciences through disability inclusion.
• Proactive leadership in disability DEI is essential for scientific progress.
• Concrete recommendations are provided for future scholarship and practice.