PSU Lands $300K Grant to Boost STEM Faculty Diversity
A team of faculty at Portland State University (PSU) has received a $300,000 funding from the National Science Foundation's ADVANCE Program. The financial support will back the 'Catalyst' project, aiming to understand and improve the workplace experiences and retention of marginalized STEM faculty based on gender, race/ethnicity, and intersectional identities.
The project comes in response to a 2018 workplace climate survey that revealed serious equity issues for women faculty and faculty of color in STEM at PSU. It will involve in-depth interviews with 33 STEM faculty, focusing on the '5 P's': policies, practices, power structures, places, and people. The interviews will be analyzed and visualized to identify themes and develop a survey for wider distribution.
The team will combine qualitative, quantitative, and socio-spatial data to gain deeper insights into the equity landscape for diverse faculty at PSU. The grant will fund a self-assessment to lay the foundation for systemic and campus-wide changes to improve equity in STEM. The ultimate goal is to create a five-year strategic equity plan to improve the climate, culture, retention, and performance of marginalized STEM faculty.
The 'Catalyst' project, supported by PSU administration and guided by internal and external advisory committees, seeks to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM fields at PSU. By understanding and improving the workplace experiences and retention of marginalized STEM faculty, the project aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.
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