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Fostering Belonging in Data Sciences and beyond

Jacobo Miranda , Isabela Paredes Cisneros, Lisanna Paladin

European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

OS Fair 2025 CERN

Please note some content was created with the support of chat gpt, all the material was reviewed by Jacobo Miranda, cc-by 4

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try to identify strategies and best practices for fostering inclusivity in the (Data) Sciences.

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World Café Format Explained

https://cuckoo.team/embl-datascience-community

The workshop is set up with small tables (ideally 4–5 people per table) in a welcoming, café-style environment. Each table discusses a specific question for 15–30 minutes, making notes or sketches on paper.
After each round, participants switch tables, except for the “table host,” who summarizes previous discussions and welcomes newcomers. This process repeats for several rounds, mixing groups and ideas.
The session concludes with a group reflection phase, where participants present insights and document outcomes. This encourages collective understanding, creativity, and networking in an informal atmosphere

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Scenerios

At an internal online Q&A chat session about a computational topic (like a meet-the-expert meeting about cloud storage)
At a 2 days course on git, open to the general public, online and in person (hybrid) with training materials available online
At a kickoff meeting with mixed scientific knowledge, including participants with different levels of expertise and hierarchy
In a newsletter promoting standardisation of practices that assumes a certain level of computational savvy-ness of the readers

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Duration min.

Activity

Introductions and motivation

Scope, Goal and World Coffee

Table discussion

Collect key concepts

Table discussion

Collect key concepts

Compilation and Summary

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OSF Workshop Takeaways: Fostering Belonging in Science

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🌱 Preparation & Onboarding

✅ Onboarding in advance (polls, anonymous questions, participation options).�
✅ Ask participants what makes them feel comfortable.�
✅ Share clear, accessible guidelines early.�
✅ Define intended audience so people can self-select.�

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🤝 Representation & Leadership

🔍 Be mindful of who conveys leadership and visibility.�
🚫 Avoid labeling or tokenism.�
📌 Ask for recommendations to broaden representation.�
🎯 Practice intentional, conscious inclusion (not performative).�

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💡 Inclusion & Support

🤗 Proactively support those less likely to engage.�
🗣️ Acknowledge challenges from the start.�
💬 Create opportunities for everyone to feel considered.�

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🌐 Building Belonging

🎉 Balance familiar and new connections ("wedding table paradox").�
⏳ Allow gradual relationship-building before collaboration.�
☕ Provide informal spaces (breaks, social time, casual chats).�
📈 Foster belonging incrementally, over time.�

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🔄 Continuous Effort

🕰️ Recognize inclusivity is an ongoing process.�
📌 Plan for continuous improvements.�
🌟 Commit to evolving as a community together.�

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🎯 Core Message

Belonging in science grows through preparation, mindful representation, proactive support, and opportunities for connection. Inclusivity is not solved once but nurtured continuously through transparency, care, and collective commitment.