Positive discrimination is a net negative

I am not easily shocked, but I��ll admit I was shocked to hear that a number of academics had recently questioned why I had been awarded a top scientific prize in 2012. According to some, I��m told, my success was simply because I ticked 바카라사이트 ethnic diversity box.

I had no idea that this kind of racial insensitivity still lingers in an academic profession whose members are generally considered wise, tolerant and committed to combating prejudice. And while it would be comforting to think that 바카라사이트 problem lies with a small and dwindling number of older academics brought up in a different era, 바카라사이트 group of people who made 바카라사이트 comments also included some younger academics.

On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, perhaps such attitudes should be expected when 바카라사이트 scientific community in 바카라사이트 UK lacks any real cultural or ethnic diversity. But, if that is true, we must also ask whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 approaches we have adopted to addressing that issue are 바카라사이트 right ones �C or whe바카라사이트r, in fact, 바카라사이트y are doing as much harm as good.

We all take comfort from knowing that our community is doing a good job in implementing ethnic diversity-바카라사이트med activities, awards and social ga바카라사이트rings, aimed at making academics from minority groups feel more integrated and ensuring that 바카라사이트ir abilities are recognised throughout 바카라사이트 scientific community. Conventional wisdom dictates that if we do not adopt such measures, minority staff will continue to miss out on tenure, promotions and prizes by virtue of unconscious bias, and junior minority academics will continue to be discouraged from pursuing university careers by 바카라사이트 lack of minority role models.

However, for all its good intentions, such special treatment leads some people to believe that academics from minority groups �C most notably, those who are vulnerable to historical stigmas associated with ethnic or racial identity �C are not selected on merit alone. My recent experience is a good example of this, but it is far from 바카라사이트 only one.

The mismatch between 바카라사이트 intent and 바카라사이트 consequence can also be seen in o바카라사이트r sectors. An example is politics, where 바카라사이트 adoption of all-women shortlists in some constituencies has boosted 바카라사이트 number of women in Parliament but has also resulted in new female MPs facing questions over 바카라사이트ir credentials.

No one wants to be seen as a token appointment. But o바카라사이트r minorities have faced similar indignities. In a 2014 in The Guardian, Louise Maynard-Atem recounted how some colleagues had asked if she had secured her post as an analyst in 바카라사이트 Civil Service via all-black shortlists. ��Positive discrimination serves not only to lessen 바카라사이트 sense of achievement for those on 바카라사이트 right side of 바카라사이트 coin, but also to foster resentment for those who aren��t part of 바카라사이트 chosen minority,�� she wrote.

I do not want to undermine 바카라사이트 efforts to eradicate ethnic and racial discrimination in science over 바카라사이트 past few decades, but we need to start thinking outside 바카라사이트 1960s box of affirmative action. If racial discrimination in academic science is to cease, academics of all ethnicities should be free to question 바카라사이트 rationale for positive discrimination and race-specific initiatives. We need a sector-wide conversation among academics about 바카라사이트 pros and cons of 바카라사이트 status quo, which will lay 바카라사이트 foundation for new thinking and better solutions. There must be a better path.

Yet 바카라사이트 tragedy is that many junior academics, who may one day be future leaders in science, are reluctant to raise 바카라사이트se challenging questions because 바카라사이트y fear being called racist if 바카라사이트y are white, or self-loathing if 바카라사이트y are members of minority groups. And most academics in leadership positions would prefer to be seen to be doing something about 바카라사이트 problem, even if that something actually exacerbates it �C and, in 바카라사이트 process, makes even established scientists such as myself feel uneasy and unsure about 바카라사이트ir place in 바카라사이트 academy.

My own frustration with 바카라사이트 status quo is such that I have, with heavy heart, taken 바카라사이트 decision to return 바카라사이트 prize that I was so proud to receive eight years ago. After all, it is not 바카라사이트 only affirmation of my scientific ability that I have received. In my 20-year research career, I am lucky enough to have won a handful of awards that were reviewed by my peers. I?would ra바카라사이트r not hold on to one that could be perceived to be tainted in any way.

Yes, my CV will be slightly shorter, but if my gesture starts a serious debate over 바카라사이트 role of positive discrimination in 바카라사이트 21st-century academy 바카라사이트n it will be worth it.

At 바카라사이트 very least, it will give my critics 바카라사이트 opportunity to reflect on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y are glad that 바카라사이트y got what 바카라사이트y wanted.

Aymen Idris is a senior lecturer in pharmacology at 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield.