The CTSA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force's recommendations for the CTSA program...

Area of Science:

• Translational Science
• Health Equity
• Research Administration

Background:

• Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in translational science requires proactive, structural initiatives.
• The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program identified the need for dedicated efforts beyond statements of commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the formation and initial activities of the CTSA Program's DEIA Task Force (TF).
• To outline the development of a DEIA Learning Systems Framework and actionable recommendations.
• To establish a baseline understanding of diversity within the CTSA Program.

Main Methods:

• Formation of an expertise-driven DEIA Task Force.
• Development and adoption of the DEIA Learning Systems Framework.
• Definition of recommendations across four key focus areas: Institutional, Programmatic, Community-Centered, and Social, Cultural, Environmental.
• Dissemination of a survey to assess baseline diversity metrics.

Main Results:

• The DEIA Task Force was established and has undertaken key initiatives.
• A comprehensive DEIA Learning Systems Framework was adopted to guide efforts.
• Recommendations were defined across critical domains of translational science.
• A foundational survey was developed to measure diversity across the CTSA Program.

Conclusions:

• The initial steps taken by the DEIA Task Force provide a solid foundation for advancing DEIA within the CTSA Program.
• Elevating the TF to a standing Committee signifies a long-term commitment to integrating DEIA into translational and clinical science.
• These efforts aim to foster environments that support DEIA throughout the research continuum.