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10 years of advancing diversity within the Mycological Society of America

Summary

The Mycological Society of America has spent the last decade working to make the field of mycology more welcoming and diverse. After discovering in 2015 that most mycologists were white men, the society created new programs and policies to support women, people from racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ scientists. Their efforts have shown progress, especially in getting more women involved in student awards and leadership positions, though there is still more work to be done.

Background

Mycology, like most STEM fields, has been dominated by white male scientists with low representation of marginalized groups including women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ community members. A 2015 study revealed significant gender imbalance in the Mycological Society of America, prompting calls for action to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field.

Objective

To document and assess the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives implemented by the Mycological Society of America over the past decade and provide recommendations for achieving balanced representation in mycology.

Results

MSA implemented multiple DEI initiatives including a Code of Conduct, SPORES mentorship program, Interchange Ambassador and Invitee Awards, and policy changes. Student awards achieved near gender balance by 2023, female presidents increased significantly, and professional awards showed progress toward balance. The SPORES program successfully recruited 19 mentees in 2023 and 22 in 2024 from underrepresented communities.

Conclusion

A decade of targeted DEI efforts has slowly shifted MSA toward greater inclusivity, with measurable progress in gender balance among student awards and leadership. However, significant work remains to achieve diverse representation across all demographic axes and to establish partnerships that will sustain long-term diversity in mycology.
  • Published in:IMA Fungus,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40475387, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.155609
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