Applied Microbiology International responds actively to opportunities that advance equity, diversity and inclusion across the microbiology sector. Working closely with our members and partners, we contribute to national and sector-wide inquiries, consultations and initiatives that seek to address systemic barriers and create more inclusive research environments. From responding to government calls for evidence to sharing insight with parliamentary groups and working collectives, AMI ensures that the lived experiences and perspectives of microbiologists are represented and heard.
Below you’ll find examples of how AMI contributes to broader efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable STEM community.
The route to achieving equity will not be accomplished through treating everyone equally. It will be achieved by treating everyone justly according to their circumstances.
Equity and equality are two approaches used to try to create fairness.
Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. While the term equity may sound similar, equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. In the illustration above, three individuals have unequal access to a system — in this case, the fence which provides a barrier to the view. With equal support from evenly distributed tools, their access to the view still remains unequal. However, the equitable solution allocates the exact resources that each person needs to access the view, leading to positive outcomes for all individuals.