Prof. Mary James, Professor and Dean for Institutional Diversity at Reed College

"What Does Access Really Mean? Findings from the AIP TEAM_UP Report"

Abstract: In this talk I discuss the findings of the American Institute of Physics’ TEAM_UP Task Force that examined causes and remedies for the underrepresentation of African American students earning bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy. The task force found that African American students are completing bachelor’s degrees at higher rates in other quant-heavy STEM fields; their underrepresentation in physics is due to aspects of physics culture and climate over which departments and the wider physics community have much agency. I discuss ways in which departments can better support and encourage African American students from college entrance to degree completion. These strategies will benefit students from other groups underrepresented in physics as well as majority students