Diversity in Academia
A Look at
Gender, Race, and Ethnicity
in Science and Engineering Departments


A congressional breakfast briefing sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

October 11, 2001, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
B-338 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Hosts:
Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI)
Chairman, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, House Committee on Science

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Research, House Committee on Science


Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Shirley Malcom
Director, Education and Human Resources, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Moderator
Catherine Didion
Executive Director, Association for Women in Science

Speakers
Dr. William A. Wulf
President, National Academy of Engineering

Dr. Donna J. Nelson
Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Lawrence Norris
Treasurer, National Society of Black Physicists


At this briefing, survey results were presented on gender, race, and ethnicity in higher education. The presentation included an initial research survey of the faculties of the "top 50" chemistry departments and later research extended to chemical engineering, physics, biological sciences, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. The surveys found that women and minorities are represented on science and engineering faculties at levels much lower than their representation among Ph.D. recipients in those disciplines. The briefing enabled policy makers to examine data on the representation of U.S. citizens among the chemistry faculties of top research universities, analyze the role of females and minorities in science and engineering, and compare the data among various scientific and engineering disciplines.

Dr. Nelson's research on diversity in the science and engineering faculties of leading universities is available on her website, and in the Spring and Summer 2001 issues of AWIS Magazine.

Information on diversity from the National Academy of Engineering can be found at:
     Celebration of Women in Engineering
     Diversity in the Engineering Workforce

The survey results presented by Dr. Norris on diversity at Energy Department labs will be available shortly.

Other Relevant Links

AAAS Salary and Job Survey
A survey examining the salaries and job satisfaction of AAAS members in the life sciences.



Directorate for Science and Policy Programs
     Center for Science, Technology, and Congress

Please direct questions or comments to congress_center@aaas.org.
Last updated: October 15, 2001