Yale University Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry

Institution Profile: Yale University Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry
LocationUnited States of America
Type of InstitutionComprehensive University or equivalent
Academic DisciplinesLife sciences
Summary of Intervention(s)

• As of 2020, candidates for tenure-track assistant professorships at Yale University’s MB&B were instructed to submit anonymized applications—no names of people, places, funding agencies or journals.
• The reason was to subvert unconscious biases that psychologists argue contribute to ingroup favoritism and racial hiring discrimination.
• Based on research in occupational psychology, the MB&B introduced an anonymous application procedure that no longer triaged candidates based on their CVs.
• Evaluations were instead conducted ‘blind’ to de-emphasize overreliance on shortcut proxies for quality and achievements, including where candidates earned their degrees, who mentored them, in which journals they publish their work etc.
• Candidates have been judged instead on substantial descriptions they submit of their research, inclusive teaching and plans to promote equity among scientists.

Source Material
2020 Policies
LinkEquity and inclusion, Responsible Metrics
Type of DecisionHiring, Tenure
Scope of PolicySchool/Division
Academic DisciplinesLife sciences
2021 Outcomes, Policies
LinkEquity and inclusion
Type of DecisionHiring, Tenure
Scope of PolicySchool/Division
Academic DisciplinesLife sciences
2021 Outcomes, Policies
LinkEquity and inclusion
Type of DecisionHiring, Tenure
Scope of PolicySchool/Division
Academic DisciplinesLife sciences

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