Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.9cnp5hqz7

Description of the data and file structure

We used a current list of AAAS and AIBS members as our study set. Member societies were excluded if they had specific university affiliation (the group was associated with a single University) or otherwise lacked cross-institutional nature (e.g., some institutes or independent museums) (N = 44). We used missions/purpose/objective statements as stated in the governing documents for the organization. If the organization lacked any publicly-accessible by-laws or other governing documents, it was excluded (N = 39). This approach left 195 societies in the data set to be coded.

We searched for published statements about commitments to DEI both within the society websites and google searches using the society name + “diversity” “equity” or “inclusion”. We also looked at society governing documents for committees with DEI missions. In some cases, our google search recovered webpages that contained statements by the society committing to DEI goals or principles, however the webpage was no longer accessible from the society website itself or no longer hosted by the society. We coded these instances as an affirmative for DEI statement issuance by a society even though they have since been removed.

We coded mission or purpose statements from the governing documents as inclusive or not inclusive of listed values, as described for each value type below.

Files and variables

File: MissionStatements.R

Description: This file contains the R script used to generate analyses and figure associated with resulting publication.

File: MissionStatementsData_consensus_wDEI_2026.csv

Description: This file contains all coded data as well as links to sources for society mission statements

Variables

• SocietyTitle: The society name.
• MembershipSize: Appx size of the society (individual memberships only).
• DEIStatement: 1/0 as Y/N for whether a DEI statement has been issued by this society.
• DEIlink: Link to source for determination of DEI statement code. If the organization did not have a DEI statement (coded as 0 in DEIStatement column), this cell is empty/blank.
• PractitionerTitleinName: 1/0 as Y/N for whether the SocietyTitle refers to the individual members (Practitioners of the discipline; 1) or is disciplinary (0).
• MissionorPurposeInGoverningDocs: Yes/No for inclusion of mission or purpose statement in governing docs of societies. 'No's were excluded from further analysis.
• MissionStatementLink: Link to source of mission statement
• YearOfRevision: The most recent year in which posted governing documents were revised or amended. For societies in which no year of revision or evidence of revisions could be identified, the cell was left empty.
• MissionWordCount: Count of words in mission statement.
• VisionAndMissionStatement: Extracted text of mission statement from linked source.
• ScientificDiscovery: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Scientific discovery was defined as the generation of new knowledge. Any use of the phrase "advancing” scientific understanding or knowledge in the field was coded as inclusive of scientific discovery.
• Dissemination_Field_unidirectional: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Dissemination to the field was defined as the communication of knowledge and advances to professionals within the field (includes mention of scientific journals, conferences). Advancing a field through “professional practice” was included as dissemination/communication to the field. This category is appropriate for all unidirectional communication about the field.
• FacilitatingScientificDisc: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Facilitating scientific discourse was defined as promoting and increasing opportunities for interaction among professionals, especially creating opportunities for bidirectional discussion about scientific information.
• Dissemination_GeneralPublic: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Dissemination to the general public was defined as the communication of field-specific knowledge and information to general public spheres (inclusive of all outreach activities unless policy audience is specified).
• Advocacy_PolicyorPracticeRelated: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Advocacy for policy or practice was defined as the communication of field-specific knowledge and information to inform or motivate policy, including conservation action or educational priorities. 
• Advocacy_toIncreaseFieldSpecificResources: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Advocacy for the benefit of the field (esp. regarding resources like grant funds) was defined as advocacy that occurs to benefit the field/members of the field. This includes “promoting” the field or research area or otherwise advertising or communicating with the explicit goal of improving the perception of or importance of the field/profession.
• Education_FieldSpecificTopics: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Education about field-specific topics was defined as supporting or engaging in teaching field-specific information (primarily in undergraduate or graduate contexts).
• ProfessionalDevelopment_CareerStageNonSpecific: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Professional development that was career stage non-specific was defined as the development of professional skills or professionalism that lacks a target audience OR is specifically targeting extant professionals/members of the field (i.e., established members).
• MentoringYoungProfessionals: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Mentoring young professionals was defined as specific support for training and development of young professionals or scientists, including students. 
• StrengtheningInclusionEquity: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) to indicate whether the Vision and Mission statement are inclusive of this value. Strengthening inclusion and equity was defined as a specific emphasis on improving equity and inclusion for the field and/or professionals in the field.
• CommPractice: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) - This column codes for whether the mission or vision statement was inclusive of any values that fall within or support a community of practice, which included scientific discovery, dissemination to the field, facilitating scientific discourse, and advocacy for field-specific resources.
• CommCare: Value code (1/0 for Y/N) - This column codes for whether the mission or vision statement was inclusive of any values that fall within or support a community of care, which included professional development (career-stage non-specific), strengthening inclusion and equity, and mentoring young professionals.
• Notes: Designates societies that were included based on membership within AIBS only (all others are either AAAS member societies or AAAS and AIBS member societies).

Code/software

The R script for analysis and visualization was run in R v4.1.2.

Access information

Other publicly accessible locations of the data:

• N/A

Data was derived from the following sources:

• Sources are cited in the data document.