Plan to Enhance Diversity

University Of Hawaii At Manoa, Honolulu HI

Investigators

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Abstract

PLAN TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY - ABSTRACT Multiple demographic groups of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific are under-represented in the cancer research workforce. We recognize the need to enhance diversity, including gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family cultural background in order to optimize the depth and breadth of research, create a positive research environment, increase inclusion and equity in our workforce, and facilitate positive relationships with our cancer patients, cancer survivors, and our broader community. A key component of our Plan to Enhance Diversity (PED) is the creation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office with its own leadership that reports to the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center (UHCC) Director, and making it an integral part of our operations. Our long-term objective is to make the composition of UHCC’s workforce similar to that of its catchment area, which includes the state of Hawaiʻi and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). Our PED has four specific aims: 1) Establish a DEI Office within the Cancer Center to coordinate strategic planning and implementation of diversity enhancement initiatives; 2) Enhance representation and participation of underrepresented groups in the cancer research workforce (URW) among UHCC’s staff, membership, advisory boards, and leadership throughout CCSG components; 3) Establish targeted infrastructure to leverage institutional resources to support career-enhancing opportunities for early and mid-level researchers; 4) Collect baseline and longitudinal metrics on DEI and evaluate progress in enhancing the diversity of the leadership, faculty, staff, and students within UHCC. Specific activities will be undertaken to enhance the pipeline of candidates for UHCC faculty positions and research support jobs, such as programs to provide research support and career advancement training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and educational programs for high school and college students. UHCC will coordinate these activities with internal and external advisory groups (e.g., Native Hawaiian Community Advisory Board, External Advisory Committee) so as to actively recruit promising candidates from diverse backgrounds. Institutional infrastructure in the form of mentoring, grant writing workshops, pilot grants, research seminars, affinity groups, and leadership training will be established to foster a culture of equity and inclusion and accelerate career advancement toward leadership positions. Coordination with other UHCC offices (i.e., the Community Outreach and Engagement Office and the Cancer Research Training Office) and across the university, and special opportunities involving allied institutions in Hawaiʻi (e.g., healthcare partners), and Guam. The formal program for diversity enhancement will operate across Research Programs [Cancer Biology (CB) and Population Sciences in the Pacific PSP)] and foster a cross-disciplinary inclusive approach to research, community engagement, prevention, and patient care. The expected outcomes include reducing disparities in cancer risk exposure and treatment, and increasing survival for diverse groups in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.