The following resources are a joint effort between the Hochbaum Lab and the Copp Lab
Although the U.S. is increasingly becoming more diverse, STEM fields still fall far behind in terms of a diversity and inclusion:
- Underrepresented minority (URM) students earn less than 15% of all bachelor’s degrees in physics (Source: APS).
- Less than 10% of doctoral degrees in science and engineering are earned by students from URMs (Source: NCSES).
- Very few underrepresented scientists maintain membership in the Materials Research Society (Source: MRS).
- Early studies already report that women scientists, especially mothers, are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: Nature Human Behavior).
We believe we can do better. As one step towards enabling students of all backgrounds to succeed in STEM, we are compiling resources here for instructors of classes in materials-related disciplines who wish to increase the representation of URM innovators in curricular materials. Below you will find (1) Scientist Spotlights: presentations on scientists from diverse backgrounds that are making or have made significant contributions to their field, and (2) Resources highlighting barriers to STEM for underrepresented groups. By ensuring that under-represented minority scientists get equal visibility in our lectures and course materials, we can help avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes about who is and is not a scientist.
Scientist Spotlights
Thomas J. Silhavy
Jennifer A. Doudna
Sossina Haile
Francisco G. Bolívar Zapata
Joseph Wang
Judith Klinman
See the ACS ChemDiversity list of role models here.
See the APS profiles of URM physicists here.
Barriers to STEM
The Diversity Innovation Paradox in STEM
This PNAS article presents a quantitative analysis showing that underrepresented PhD students are more likely to take innovative new directions in their research, but these innovations are less likely to receive recognition in their field and to earn them academic positions.
What Comes Next? Simple Practices to Improve Diversity in Science
Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students
Gender in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Issues, Causes, Solutions
Increasing the Representation of Women Faculty in STEM Departments: What Makes a Difference?