Life as a minority scientist in industry and academia

Presently, the challenges facing research scientist in both industrial and academic settings are many. Among these challenges are, training/maintaining a highly skilled workforce, integrating diverse scientific disciplines in solving complex societal problems, and maintaining a robust research program in a tough economic climate. Under‐represented minority scientists facing such challenges also have to overcome institutional barriers which may lead to issues of isolation, under‐valuation, and disparities in funding and promotion/progression opportunities in order to attain professional success. Experiences of under‐represented scientist who have had careers which span both industry and academia can provide the research community with a unique vantage point from which to survey progress and to plot effectively a more inclusive future course.