For those who want a good summary of the ASM Town Hall. It was nice to see ASM own up to their mistakes rather than doubling down on their original press release. Time will tell if they do what they need to do to regain trust. #MicroSky - ThreadSky

jlgoff.bsky.social • 10 days ago

For those who want a good summary of the ASM Town Hall. It was nice to see ASM own up to their mistakes rather than doubling down on their original press release. Time will tell if they do what they need to do to regain trust.

#MicroSky

Reposted from Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️

ASM town hall is starting in a couple of minutes. Over 80 people on the call so far.

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napaaqtuk.bsky.social•10 days ago

Thanks for speaking out! I wanted to hear more about what they are going to do in the future, both to support underrepresented scientists and to ensure they don't make this mistake again.

jlgoff.bsky.social•10 days ago

Yea, just a bunch of vagueness there. It was super distressing to watch microbiologists of color pleading for ASM to at least release a statement and only getting “we will put it on the agenda to discuss in March” as the response.

tallcuppajoe.bsky.social•10 days ago

I suspect it won’t be that long. I’ve seen dissatisfaction among folks I know/follow who could press them into acting sooner

neophytecatomn.bsky.social•9 days ago

The statement is out but it doesn't contain an apology or reflect on yanking pages.

jlgoff.bsky.social•9 days ago

In the town hall, people were specifically asking for a statement reaffirming ASM’s support of diversity and inclusivity in the profession. They actually have issued statements to the press apologizing for yanking content. They also emailed the authors involved to apologize (I’m one of them)

neophytecatomn.bsky.social•9 days ago

Thanks, but the general membership shouldn't have to try to track down statements to the press for an apology. I haven't seen one.

ktelliottmicro.bsky.social•9 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/asm.org/post/3li6htvpdjc2j

dradawrites.bsky.social•10 days ago

But the fact that they have to be pressed at all? It seems like it would be a hollow victory.

dradawrites.bsky.social•10 days ago

To be clear, I think pushing for the statement is important to reassure junior scientists and demonstrate the society's (as a whole, not necessarily the c-suite's) commitment to DEI.

tallcuppajoe.bsky.social•10 days ago

Hopefully it would demonstrate that the BOD can exert influence on the CEO and Executive Board and get them to act with more urgency, and to include more voices in the future.

I don’t know if ANY of this will happen. I’m hoping they learn from this

dradawrites.bsky.social•10 days ago

Uh... If they can't/don't have the influence, then there are some big underlying issues here. The c-suite exists because the BOD deemed it important - not the other way around.

jlgoff.bsky.social•10 days ago

I hope so!!

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