Agents of Change Shortlist - Prof. Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez & Prof. William R. Wagner – Codification & Institutionalization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts

SFB’s commitment to nurturing an inclusive community is unwavering and broadly supported by the Society’s leadership.

“Community Mixers” for both the LGBTQIA+ Community, and the Black/LatinX Community

Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez, Wiliam R Wagner, Edward Botchwey and Cheryl Gomillion, Society For Biomaterials, USA.

The Society For Biomaterials (SFB) has made significant strides in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Society. This includes the successful implementation of five key proposals that have reshaped their approach to inclusivity.  With the formation of a formal Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, codified into the SFB Bylaws in 2020, and with cross-posted appointments to both the Awards and Nominations Committee and the Program Committee, SFB has taken significant strides towards ensuring the recruitment and recognition of a diverse pool of leaders and award recipients far into the future. We have also addressed bias and improved transparency of our nomination and award selections processes.

One of the society’s notable achievements is the introduction of the SFB DEI Award. This award, requiring three years' membership for eligibility, recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. SFB initiated the collection of demographic data from our members, allowing them to better understand and serve their diverse community. This includes recognizing categories such as 'first generation college students' and respecting privacy with a 'prefer not to answer' option.

In the last two years, SFB brought to fruition some additional inclusion efforts at their annual meeting with the inclusion of pronoun stickers for name badges, a family support room for attendees with children, a lactation suite for new mothers, complimentary caregiver badges, and “community mixers” for both the LGBTQIA+ Community, and the Black/LatinX Community. In addition, SFB has included a “Black/LatinX Voices in Biomaterials” Session at their annual meeting for the last three years highlighting the work of these communities in the program.

SFB wishes to use the Agents of Change Award to augment sponsorship for the LGBTQIA+ and Black/LatinX Community mixers with the creation of a donor restricted account that would limit the expenditure of those funds to the purpose of supporting the SFB Community mixers, or other DEI initiated programs with similar goals.