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

2. 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

3. Data from AGI

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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%) - 12.9% (2.9%) - 13.3% Hispanics – 4.7% (0.4%) - 12.5% (2.9%) - 14.6% 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

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

10. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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 – jkarsten@agu.org

21. 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) -

22. 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

23. 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