Diversity Beyond Content: Examining Physical and Life Science Fields

Abstract

This session uses large-scale multi-institutional data to examine the experiences of diverse students within specific fields of the STEM conglomerate. Within specific STEM disciplines, we first examine a nuanced view of compositional diversity, then student engagement in culturally engaging coursework, and finally perceptions of institutional commitment to diversity. In doing this, we find some fields to be highly supportive of diversity, thus problematizing the STEM umbrella. In this session, we will discuss the idea that support for diversity in STEM fields can be improved by looking within. We will focus on practical behaviors faculty and staff can do to foster more support for diversity in STEM fields and how the cultures of STEM fields themselves shape the meaning of diversity in courses.