Increasing Diversity in the Earth & Space Sciences Jill Karsten Manager, Education & Career Services American Geophysical Union AGI Geoscience Leadership Forum 19 May 2003

1. Why Is Diversity An Issue?  Declining graduate enrollment in Earth & space sciences  Shrinking of the traditional pipeline  Aging scientific workforce  Increasing difficulty in filling void with non-US students  Continual growth of US minority populations  Throwing a wide net to catch the “best & brightest”  Diverse perspectives enhance the discovery process and prepare scientists for working in a global economy

Data from AGI

Ages of full-time doctoral scientific and engineering faculty, including full, associate, and assistant professors and instructors. (Source: NSB 2000b, Table 6-25.) Vali et al., 2002

Number of Ph.D.s earned in earth-atmosphere-ocean sciences by citizenship status. Note logarithmic scale. (Source: NSF 2000b, Table 3; Vali et al., 2002)

2. Who is Underrepresented?  In the General Population (BS - PhD degrees) (1970 (1980) – 2000 – 2010) Women – ~50% (23%) - ~51% (37%) African-Americans – 11.1% (1.8%) % (2.9%) % Hispanics – 4.7% (0.4%) % (2.9%) % Native Americans – * - 0.8% (0.5%, includes Asian) - * Asian/Pacific Islander – * - ~4% - * Persons with Disabilities – 20% (10% significant disabilities) Based on 2000 U.S. Census and 2002 AGI Data

Figure from RM Johnson; based on data from AGI and NSF

3. What Are the Key Issues? Lack of exposure to geosciences Poor K-12 teacher preparation Different educational pathways Inadequate preparation Cultural barriers Poor image of scientists and the profession

# of HBCU’s with Geoscience Departments is ~7. Role of the 2-year college as the source of science.

4. What Programs Work? Most successful programs involve sustained interactions with students, mentoring by professionals, exposure to educational and research opportunities. Good examples: Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) - Tom Windham, UCAR Minorities At Sea Together (MAST) - Ben Cuker, Hampton University

5. What Can Societies Do ? Mobilize and educate membership Use annual meetings & journals Offer society awards Sponsor students, student travel, and speakers Enhance K-12 teacher preparation Link students with professional mentors and role models Catalyze policy/attitude changes

AGI: Minority Participation Program (1972) Earth Science Week Activities ASLO: Minorities in the Aquatic Sciences (MAS) GSA: Several special funds and awards to support and honor women & minority research AMS: DataStreme Atmosphere & Ocean Programs Online Weather Studies Diversity Program SACNAS: Biography Project AWG: Minority & Women Doctoral Directory Phillips-AWG Distinguished Lecture Program Educator & Distinguished Service Awards NABGG: Promoting industry-student networking AAAS: Minority Scientist’s Network (NextWave)

American Geophysical Union Key Goals of AGU Diversity Plan: Educate & involve the AGU membership in diversity issues Enhance and foster participation of scientists, Earth & space science educators, and students from underrepresented groups in AGU activities Increase visibility of the Earth & space sciences and foster awareness of career opportunities in these fields for underrepresented populations Promote changes in the academic culture that: (1) remove barriers & disincentives for increasing diversity in the student & faculty populations, and (2) develop rewards for those wishing to pursue these goals

Programs at AGU Meetings Fall 2003: Special Atmospheric Sciences Session on Global Climate Modeling - Tribute to Dr. Warren Washington, plus reception Fall 2003: Union-Wide Session “Who Will Conduct Geophysical Research in the Future?” and Special Education Sessions on Women in Geoscience and Geodiversity Programs that Work Spring 2002: Special High School Student Symposium & Poster Session [GRAHEC & Gallaudet MSSD] Ocean Sciences 2002: Special Brown-bag with local Hawaiian high school students and AGU scientists

6. What’s New? Minorities Striving to Pursue Higher Degrees in Science (MS-PHDS) - Ashanti Johnson-Pyrtle, NASA The National Coalition of Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Advocacy Groups in Engineering and Science (NCOURAGES) - NACME, GEM & Others Joint Society Conference on Increasing Diversity in the Earth & Space Sciences - AGU, AGI, AIP & Others

Joint Society Conference on Increasing Diversity in the Earth & Space Sciences Goals: Educate societies about the need for & issues involved in increasing diversity Share resources and insights about successful & unsuccessful strategies Identify opportunities to implement new (or expand existing) programs that work Consider new strategies that can only be realized through collaborative efforts Establish a vision for a joint society collaboration on increasing diversity

Joint Society Conference on Increasing Diversity in the Earth & Space Sciences When: 10 – 12 June 2003 Where: American Center for Physics, College Park, MD Who: ~25 scientific organizations (60 invited) Planning Committee: Jim Stith* (AIP), Claudia Alexander (AGU), Pranoti Asher (NAGT), Susan Avery (AMS), Frank Hall (AGU), Jack Hehn (AIP), Mary Leech (GSA), Cindy Martinez (AGI), Joaquin Ruiz (AGU), John Snow (AGU) Sponsors: NASA, NOAA, NSF, DOE, USGS, [EPA?] Point of Contact: Jill Karsten –

7. What Should We Do Next? “..professional societies … have an important role to play at the national level … Their collaboration should focus on two main priorities: Project a More Positive Public Image of Science, Engineering, and Technology Mobilize at the Grass Roots” - Shirley Ann Jackson The Quiet Crisis (BEST) -

Recommendations Organize a national marketing campaign on the role of the Earth & Space Sciences in daily life and careers Begin aggressive efforts to increase required exposure to Earth & Space Science in high school Catalyze efforts to improve K-16 Earth Science teaching, especially in settings that serve underrepresented groups

Recommendations Develop and scale up effective programs that support retention of students in the pipeline Mobilize the Earth & Space Scientific community to be involved locally Encourage rewards for outreach and service activities by academic faculty