NIH director will say no to ‘manels’ 

Francis Collins will no longer participate in all-male panels, or “manels,” he wrote in a blog post yesterday. “It is not enough to give lip service to equality; leaders must demonstrate their commitment through their actions,” the NIH director said. His announcement comes amid increased scrutiny within the scientific community of the lack of gender parity and the inclusion of women as experts at conferences. Several groups have recently formed to shine a light on women and other minority scientists in an effort to increase the diversity of the research enterprise. Collins said that he will decline speaking invitations for events that do not represent inclusiveness in their agenda, and called on other scientific leaders to do the same.