Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM.

Several institutional features impact patterns of success or attrition among historically excluded students in postsecondary biology. The lab is interested in the mechanisms that underlie learning and academic performance across biology courses, as well as scalable teaching strategies that promote equitable learning environments for all students. In collaboration with the EDU-STEM Research Coordination Network, we focus on researching and promoting equitable teaching practices in biology. Check out the website for more details (and information about our wonderful collaborators).

Headlines for this topic:

Thanks to the University of Texas-Austin’s Marine Science Institute for the invitation to share ideas and deliver a seminar!

Summer REU student Amelia Radocha is co-hosting a Pride event to highlight the science and experiences of those who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ community and allies in Auburn. This event will include the voices of undergraduates, graduates, post-docs, and faculty.

Amelia and Sam host Pride even in Auburn!

The DataVersify Team (most of it): Melissa Kjelvik, Marjorie Weber, Emily Driessen, Liz Schultheis, Robin Costello, & Cissy Ballen (plus Ash Zemenick, not pictured!)

The NSF DataVersify team in DC! We’ve been meeting fortnightly since 2018 over zoom, and are together for the first time to discuss next steps and big ideas.

Robin Costello presents a poster showing the impacts of diversified and humanized role models on student attitudes and interest in science careers.

We are at the NSF Summit for the Improvement of Undergraduate STEM Education in Washington DC this week – connecting with colleagues (IRL!) and presenting progress on our DataVersify project!

Todd Lamb delivered a stellar thesis defense presentation, and passed his final oral exam. Many congrats Todd!

^Several years ago in a massive lecture hall at UMN that seats 700 students!

Cissy visited the Department of Biology Teaching & Learning last week at the University of Minnesota to discuss recent research from the lab. It was so wonderful sharing ideas and catching up with the department!

Cissy delivered a virtual seminar on inclusive representation of scientists in biology to the Department of Botany at the University of Wyoming!

Undergraduate researchers Rachel Youngblood and William Grogan presented their work at this year’s undergraduate research symposium!