Exploring the alignment of black scientists with the American scientific community: Does race still matter?

This study examined Black scientists' characterizations of the relationship between their race and their alignment with the science community. Using exploratory factor analysis, we examined 110 scientists' experiences in accessing science. Over half of the participants (54%) indicated high alignment with the scientific community. By contrast, 46% of Black scientists perceived themselves as having low alignment with the scientific community. Using these grouping for subsequent quantitative and qualitative analyses, we were able to identify how race emerged as a consistent factor for these participants. The results indicate that their perceptions of race were a salient factor in determining their experiences as scientists. We contend that although progress has been made, a post-racial scientific community remains elusive.