the nelson diversity surveys made it possible for the first time to know the level and rate of faculty diversification, disaggregated by race, by rank, and by gender. researchers in the 15 areas of science surveyed were enthusiastic to use these disaggregated faculty data, in order to compare against analogous student data, which had been available from nsf for decades. many new programs to increase the representation of women and minorities among professors were implemented and phd and ms research was based on data revealed by the nds. the nds were utilized by the national science foundation, national institutes of health, department of energy, us congress, sloan foundation, the national organization for women, universities, and many other organizations interested in diversity in academics. a new area of research was spawned – the science of broadening participation.