In February 2024, the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society at Western Michigan University hosted the Privileged Logics 2024 Conference that examined how privilege shapes STEM research, research ethics, and the very definitions of research quality and research access. The National Science Foundation-funded conference sparked enriching exchanges and fresh perspectives — conversations we want to continue. 

To that end, we are excited to announce the launch of the Privileged Logics research blog, found at privilegedlogics.com, a new platform designed to extend these necessary and important discussions into an ongoing and collaborative online space. 

What You’ll Find on the Blog 

On the new Privileged Logics site, our goal is to foster a community hub for researchers, educators, administrators, and others to share resources, ideas, and insights on promoting equity and inclusion in STEM fields and in research ethics training. Further, the site offers an expanding collection of resources, regular new blog posts, and announcements about future relevant events and conferences. 

Call for Contributions 

We invite you to join us in these crucial conversations. We welcome research-based essays, working papers, reflective pieces, and commentary on current events, in written and multimedia formats (including videos and presentations). 

We are particularly interested in contributions that explore topics such as: 

• Innovations in ethical research practices and how privilege influences institutional research norms

• Strategies for building learning communities that drive systemic change 

• Rethinking research metrics to promote more inclusive and meaningful measures of research quality 

• Personal experiences and practical approaches to fostering equitable research cultures 

• Reimagining Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training that foregrounds privilege as a factor impacting research quality 

• And other critical issues related to privilege and equity in research cultures 

If you are interested in contributing, please send an email to ethicscenter@wmich.edu to discuss more about our editorial process or your ideas for new material.