Read on Twitter
Having lab experience prior to starting a PhD is often not accessible for low income potential students. Undergrad research is often not paid and lab technicians barely make enough to live off of and taking a gap year(s) means making student loan payments. https://twitter.com/jasegehring/status/1300099339319033857
It’s also a barrier to entry for disabled and chronically ill people, as getting accommodations needed to work in a lab is a lot of work. I don’t disclose my chronic illness and till after I’m hired because I too scared I won’t be hired because of it. https://twitter.com/Ava_Nicole23/status/1300243827702337542
I do think that lab experience is super helpful prior to PhD. However, until undergrads are paid (a live-able wage) to do science (NOT JUST DISHES) and disabled and chronically ill students can easily get the accommodations that they need, lab experience shouldn’t be required.
Oh it’s also a barrier to entry for first generation students! I had no clue where to go and what to do when looking for my first lab job, the whole experience was confusing and disheartening. Most of the professors didn’t even email back.
It’s also a barrier to entry for transfer students https://twitter.com/alyssamferrari/status/1300255854625656832
It can also hurt international students https://twitter.com/archakravarthy/status/1300306980125519873
Also a barrier for students at HBCUs! https://twitter.com/blkinengineerng/status/1300515282339926019
