1 A Message from Dr. Barber

We are thrilled to introduce the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Culture Forward Strategy, a collaborative effort made possible by NSF’s unwavering commitment to leverage a holistic approach to culture intelligence to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) outcomes. As NSF’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), I am committed to promoting, supporting, and leveraging our society’s diverse talent, skills, abilities, experience and representation to improve scientific advancement, national security, and the well-being of all. At the heart of this commitment lies a vision for NSF to become the nation’s thought leader and catalyst in creating opportunities everywhere for everyone that continuously reimagine and operationalize the synergy of diversity and merit. This Culture Forward Strategy offers a unique and innovative approach to shifting NSF’s organizational culture to one that directly links effective DEIA to organizational performance and effectiveness.

This strategy represents a strategic extension of the numerous efforts initiated and implemented across the foundation to materialize DEIA. These efforts include the Racial Equity Task Force Report and the 2022 DEIA Strategic Plan. Additionally, it aligns with NSF’s 2022-2026 strategic plan and core values. It also meets the requirements of various executive orders, the CHIPS and Science Act, and our Office of Inspector General Management Challenges. It consolidates into a measurable, actionable, and proactive framework by positioning DEIA as a means for cultural transformation. To achieve this, we have outlined how NSF can accomplish the following:

• Understand and leverage organizational change and diverse talent;
• Further build and organize structural change around previous, current, and future DEIA efforts;
• Use outcome-based initiatives as catalysts for change; and
• Develop measures of effectiveness and outcomes for advancing NSF’s culture.

This strategy serves as a testament to the advantages of an organization that prioritizes culture as the underpinning for DEIA outcomes and works to understand, embrace, and transform its culture.

While the Culture Forward Strategy is designed explicitly for NSF, its potential for use across the federal enterprise and other sectors is significant. Millions of Americans rely on federal agencies daily to keep our society functioning. Who could be better suited to optimize and enhance staff performance, morale, and organizational effectiveness by evaluating and implementing principles to transform a culture that embraces the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer? As society evolves, so must our approach to ensuring it remains diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible to every American.

As federal stewards, we invite you to join our efforts to pave the way for lasting transformation and strengthen our position as a leading exemplar of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. Successfully implementing this strategy and ensuring its effective integration and realized benefits will require “all hands-on deck”. Together, we can shape our culture to create a brighter future for all.