Updates & News
This week, we want to amplify the voices of Dreamers in the STEM community and celebrate their contributions to science. You may remember we wrote a piece about DACA in January. Today, undocumented students are facing heightened barriers and we want to find ways to support them. We ask you to watch and share the video of Evelyn Valdez-Ward’s speech at the March for Science DC or read it and share this post.
Hello friends, how was your week? We spent the week thinking about ways our organization can best address issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the sciences. Do you have awesome success stories of programs that both reward and elevate POC so as to create equity in science and move us beyond our current very flawed system? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Meanwhile, we are preparing for our board meeting, can't wait to share the outcomes with you all!
Support diversity on your campus! In response to two Native American young men having the campus cops called on them last week, we ask you to pressure your university leadership via twitter, facebook, and post cards to support organizations such as SACNAS, Black Student Alliance, and various cultural centers.
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Jesse Shanahan, a graduate student in astrophysics, an accessibility coordinator, and a science communicator. She created the hashtag #disabledandSTEM and has recently joined the leadership team of 500 Women Scientists to make sure we're honoring our mission to make science inclusive and accessible. We're thrilled to have her on board and excited to share some of her work with you all!
I missed last week, so this week is extra full of all the goods. Meanwhile we are wrapping up Science Salons (stay tuned for the final update), and are now getting ready for the Science-a-thon! It is May now, does that mean we can talk about the summer? We are excited for our 3rd boarding meeting - this time in Atlanta! What are your summer plans? Any good projects we should know about?
Have you made your voice heard on combating sexual harassment in science?
This is the last week to submit your comments on the National Science Foundation’s proposed new policies to combat sexual harassment in scientific fields! These policies are open for formal comments until May 4, 2018.
This week on #MeetAScientist get to know biologist and science diplomat Dr. Clarissa Rios Rojas. With over a decade of biomedical research under her belt, Clarissa has shifted gears, focusing her attention on professional development of Latin American students and young professionals, so they can in turn contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries. Clarissa talks more about founding the nonprofit Ekpa’palek and how she plans on using her scientific training to better the world.
How are you all celebrating Earth Day? Maybe attending one of our Science Salons? Enjoying a relaxing hike? Reading a nice book? Need help finding an event, check out this cool calendar from Science Rising!
#weeklyaction
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. We have written about how and why academia and science must be better at confronting sexual harassment and assault.
The National Science Foundation is now ramping up its efforts to combat sexual harassment in scientific fields. This includes a number of proposed steps to hold institutions and perpetrators accountable and these steps are open for formal comments until May 4, 2018. Please submit your comments on these proposed rules here; some helpful guidelines on how to submit an effective comment.
This week, we are also encouraging our women in science to sign up for Hi From The Other Side to understand why many folks are skeptical of science and find common ground.
If you are marching this weekend in a March for Science, please let us know and tag us in your photos! For those staying home, we'd also be interested to hear from you? Did you march last year? What makes you decide when and when not to demonstrate? As always, stay safe when you are demonstrating, see last week's post for tips! Enjoy the weekend!
This week on Meet a Scientist, we meet Dr. Pragnya Eranki, a Chemical Engineer with expertise in sustainable technologies. She currently works at the Colorado School of Mines as research faculty in civil and environmental engineering, as well as developing a Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Council. Learn about Pragnya's work on sustainability and DI&A issues — and her passion for reading and dancing!
Are you marching for science next week or participating in a Science Rising event? Before you take action, read this info to help you safely organize and speak out for science. Read the ACLU free guide, “Know Your Rights: Science Activism and Protests.” If you want a quick summary, the American Geophysical Union put together the main takeaways. Have a great weekend all, and keep up the awesome work!
Women's History Month may be coming to a close, but here at 500WS it honestly doesn't ever really stop. This last month has been great though. We are especially proud of the many Science Salon's that have been hosted by our pods. Enjoy the weekend (a long weekend for those in Europe) and see you all next week!
Our mission is to serve society by making science open, inclusive, and accessible, and to transform society by fighting racism, patriarchy, and oppressive societal norms
