Intersectionality describes interdependent systems of inequality related to sex, gender, race, age, class and other socio-political dimensions. By focusing on the compounded effects of social categories, intersectional analysis can enhance the accuracy and experimental efficiency of science. Here we extend intersectional approaches that were predominantly developed in the humanities, social sciences and public health to the fields of natural science and technology, where this type of analysis is less established. Informed by diverse global and disciplinary examples—from enhancing facial recognition for diverse user bases to mitigating the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized populations—we extract methods to demonstrate how quantitative intersectional analysis functions throughout the research process, from strategic considerations for establishing research priorities to formulating research questions, collecting and analysing data and interpreting results. Our goal is to offer a set of guidelines for researchers, peer-reviewed journals and funding agencies that facilitate systematic integration of intersectional analysis into relevant domains of science and technology. Precision in research best guides effective social and environmental policy aimed at achieving global equity and sustainability.
Authors: Mathias Wullum Nielsen, Elena Gissi, Shirin Heidari, Richard Horton, Kari C. Nadeau, Dorothy Ngila, Safiya Umoja Noble, Hee Young Paik, Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, Eddy Y. Zeng, James Zou, Londa Schiebinger
A paper entitled ‘Intersectional analysis for science and technology’ was published in Nature, Nielsen, M.W., Gissi, E., Heidari, S. et al. Intersectional analysis for science and technology. Nature 640, 329–337 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08774-w, together with a supplementary information document under the same title.
The EASE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee suggested to the EASE Council that EASE endorse this initiative, which was agreed on 8 May 2025. It is also available in the EASE Resource Library and the DEI Resources page.
Londa Schiebinger, Mathias Wullum Nielsen, Elena Gissi, Shirin Heidari, Richard Horton, Kari C. Nadeau, Dorothy Ngila, Safiya Umoja Noble, Hee Young Paik, Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, Eddy Y. Zeng, James Zou and Joan Marsh authored a follow up article, Guidelines for Intersectional Analysis in Science and Technology: Implementation and Checklist Development (https://ese.arphahub.com/article/162102/) in which they provide a checklist to facilitate author and journal editor compliance with the guidelines.
These guidelines are now published in the EQUATOR Network (https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/guidelines-for-intersectional-analysis-in-science-and-technology/).
The EQUATOR Network is an international initiative that promotes high-quality, transparent, and accurate reporting of health research by developing, disseminating, and implementing reporting guidelines. It provides a central resource for authors, journal editors, peer reviewers, and other collaborators, offering a comprehensive collection of reporting guidelines, toolkits, and educational materials to improve the reliability and value of research studies.