DoSER Engaging Scientists Public Engagement Contest

Congratulations to Myeshia Shelby, whose project won the Public's Choice vote! Check out the article about the contest here, which includes interviews with multiple award winners.

Through the Engaging Scientists in the Science and Religion Dialogue project, the DoSER program recognized ongoing or prospective science engagement efforts that focused on, or were inclusive of, faith communities. Eighteen $1000 awards were given in 2019 to STEM scholars (graduate students, postdocs, affiliated scholars, or faculty) at five U.S. universities.

The scope of awarded projects ranged from cross-disciplinary scholarship to undergraduate education to direct engagement with faith leaders and communities. Topics included biomedical research, evolution, climate change, and environmental stewardship.

All 18 winners are listed below, in alphabetical order by last name:

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Caring for Creation: A Discussion of Climate Change, Religion, and a Sustainable Future

Kelsea Best, Vanderbilt University

This project was a screening of the film The Human Element and an expert panel discussion about the impacts of climate change on communities.

Diverse Ethical and Religious Views on the Study of Evolutionary Biology

Mercedes Burns, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Students in class dialogued with religious leaders and bioethics experts on the integration of religion and evolution, and the responsibilities of evolutionary biologists communicating with a diverse public.

Howard University scholars engage Ethiopian communities in science and spirituality at the 18 May 2019 Ethiopian Educators Without Borders conference from the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC. From left to right: Adaku Ofoegbu (Presenter), Raniya Al-Matari (Presenter), Georgia Dunston (Adviser), Abebe Kebede (Community Representative), Philip Kurian (Presenter), and Gay Byron (Presenter).

Connecting DC and Ethiopian Communities in Science, Spirituality, and Scholarship

Earl Ettienne, Howard University

A panel session at the 2019 Ethiopian Educators Without Borders conference highlighted the work of the Howard community engaging with Ethiopian communities on research, teaching, service, and outreach.

Engaging Muslim Youth in Environmental Stewardship

Stephen Freeland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

This project will engage UMBC students, faculty, and Camp NWMI’s (Next Wave Muslim Initiative) Muslim youth around the ideas of environmental stewardship for a day with various activities.

Word cloud summarizing participants’ response to the question, “What was the most important take‐away message for you from this series of workshops?”

A Science‐Faith Dialogue in the Indiana Heartland

Michael Hamburger and Adrienne Keller, Indiana University

Concerned Scientists @ IU developed and conducted workshops for scientists and members of local faith communities to address the scientific, ethical, and religious dimensions of climate change.

UMBC STEM Scholars Engaged in Religious & Spiritual Self Exploration

Michael A. Hunt, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

A facilitated dialogue with current UMBC students will include guided discussions on the value of engaging their spirituality and religious experiences in their research, and will end with a guided art project.

Event photo from "Science and Salaat" — Nisa Muhammad/Howard University

The Links Between Science and Salaat

Esohe Irabor, Howard University

A presentation and dialogue explored Salaat (the Muslim form of prayer), the scientific method, and the mechanisms of the scientifically-deduced benefits of Salaat.

The Empowering Impact of Diverse Women Scientists and Faith Leaders

Ollie L. Jefferson, Howard University

Diverse women scientists and faith leaders will engage in dialogue on the possibilities of information and communication technology, and how science and religion complement each other.

Genetics, Genomics, and Ancestry: Creating a Public Education Program for Tribal Nations

Krystiana Krupa, Indiana University

There will be a workshop with dialogue between facilitators and tribal nations about the techniques used in ancient genetics/genomics (from humans, other animals, and plants) and both their benefits and pitfalls.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Religion in a Quickly Changing Climate

Eric Lebel, Stanford University

This project will bring scientists and religious experts (in Catholicism and Judaism) together for a discussion on the implications of climate change with respect to the poor and most vulnerable.

Three posters showing information about Hepatitis C

Focus Group Engagement: Exploring the Impact of Religion on Recruitment and Retention of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Research

Ruth Quartey, Howard University

This focus group explored opportunities for research scientists at Howard University to partner with faith-based leaders in a Ghanaian Association in Maryland and a Muslim congregation in Virginia.

Your Health: Exposure to Violence and Its Effect on Health Outcomes

Frough Saadatmand, Howard University

This event at the Howard University campus will be a science-faith dialogue about the impact of exposure to violence as a public health risk to the African American communities in the Washington area.

Young adult LDS members planting native seedlings at a local park in the Palo Alto area

Mormons and the Environment: Building Gospel-Based Environmental Stewardship

Kira Smiley, Stanford University

Via workshops and social media, young adult LDS members near Stanford were taught sustainable science principles, that connected to LDS principles, to build awareness of environmental and climate science.

Christian Stewardship of the Earth

Catherine Smith, Indiana University

A poster and Earth Day presentation will be presented to Christian schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, to provide Christian educators with scientific information contextualized within Christian doctrine.

Making an Impact: How Does Your Spirituality/Philosophy Influence Science, and Vice Versa?

Charlezetta Stokes, Howard University

By discussing supposed contradictions between science and religion or philosophy, the program will encourage participants to refine their ethical and moral beliefs while gaining a deeper understanding of the world.

DoSER ES Contest Winner Shelby - Photo of poster

Therapeutic Treatments for Cancer: Fostering a Dialogue Within a Faith Community

Myeshia Shelby, Howard University - Public's Choice award winner

This project consisted of a presentation and dialogue with a faith community on the possibility of inhibiting cell proliferation as a means of therapeutic intervention during the metastatic stages of cancer.

Zeki Sherif gives a lecture on breast and colorectal cancer screenings at the Selam Foundation in 2019

Focus Group Engagement: Exploring the Impact of Scientific Enlightenment on Supporting Research in Ethnic Religious Minorities in the USA

Zaki A. Sherif, Howard University

This project involves several activities, past and future, with the Selam Foundation of Virginia, a Muslim community of Ethiopians living in the DC metro area, to enhance their understanding of science and medicine.

More than Just Bones: Understanding the Osteological Methods Employed for NAGPRA

Jayne-Leigh Thomas, Indiana University

This workshop will engage with Native American communities about osteological work and stress the need for collaborative discussions and dialogue between tribal nations and academic institutions.

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