If you come across additional good resources, please feel free to send them to physics-inclusion@uci.edu so that we can include them on the list.
Research
- Here’s an excellent, short interactive way to really understand how even small individual biases can have a *huge* impact and the importance of working toward Inclusive Excellence: http://ncase.me/polygons/ (Available in 16 languages!)
- The American Institute of Physics (AIP) regularly creates reports on the state of diversity and inclusive excellence in Physics and Astronomy education (some high school information is included). Here are some of the latest:
- FocusOn - African American, Hispanic, and Native American Women among Bachelors in Physical Science & Engineering (November 2017) https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/minorities/underrep-women-bs-phys-sci-eng.pdf
- Beyond Representation: Data to Improve the Situation of Women and Minorities in Physics and Astronomy (March 2018) (https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/women/beyond-representation-18.1.pdf)
- For all the AIP FocusOn Reports visit here: https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports
- Additionally, every 2 years the National Science Foundation releases statistical information about Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17310/
- Lastly, here are some additional links to learn more about the state of diversity and inclusion in Physics and Astronomy:
Resources
Newsletters Released by our Local APS-IDEA Team
- Spring 2021: "What is the APS-IDEA Team at UCI?"
- Winter 2022: "Overcoming Impostor Phenomenon"
- Spring 2022: "Diversity & Inclusion in the Physics & Astronomy Department: Where we Are and Where we Want to Go"
- Spring 2023 (Volume 1): "Overcoming Academic Setbacks"
- Spring 2023 (Volume 2): "Challenging Harmful Beliefs"
Supporting Student Mental Health
Imposter Syndrome
- Imposter Syndrome ‘is a pervasive feeling os self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary.’ While anyone can suffer imposter thoughts, ‘minorities and women are hardest-hit.’ (via https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-impostor-syndrome/)
- This brief article by the American Psychological Association describes the syndrome and it’s possible roots, but, also provides concrete steps to facing imposter feelings, such as consulting your mentors and changing your thinking: http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud.aspx
- Another excellent strategy to mitigating imposter syndrome is to adopt a Growth Mindset. This is the idea that believing you can get smarter, instead of intelligence being innate, leads to higher achievement.
- Here’s Dr. Carol Dweck’s (the pioneer of Growth Mindset) TEDx Talk on ‘The Power of Believing That You Can Improve’: https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve
- Here is Dr. Dweck’s organization with many resources and information on mindsets: https://www.mindsetworks.com/Science/Default
- This quick read is a way to put in academic achievement in perspective - A CV Of Failures: https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
Implicit Bias
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Implicit Bias ‘refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.’ Implicit bias is one of the ‘pwerful forces [which] creates barriers that impede access to opportunity across many critical life domains such as housing, education, health and criminal justice.’ (via https://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/implicit-bias-module-series/module-1-understanding-implicit-bias)
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Here is a brief Scientific American article about ‘How to Think about Implicit Bias’: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/
- Here you can learn about YOUR implicit biases and participate in a Harvard study on Implicit Bias: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Racial Justice Resources
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Resources to fight Anti-Asian and Pacific Islander discrimination: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kt3Ffxu0I4AZpmMhq5kNc8WVPRweCxvTcHS9tWvjp4w/edit
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GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders Racial Justice Resources: https://www.glad.org/racial-justice-resources/
Reports
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AIP TEAM-UP Report (American Institute of Physics National Task Force to Elevate African American Representation in Undergraduate Physics & Astronomy): https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/aipcorp/files/teamup-full-report.pdf
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AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education: https://aas.org/education/aas-task-force-diversity-and-inclusion-graduate-astronomy-education
Organizations supporting groups which are underrepresented in STEM
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NSBP - National Society of Black Physicists
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NSBE - National Society of Black Engineers
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LUMA - League of Underrepresented Minority Astronomers
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AISES - American Indian Science and Engineering Society
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MAES - Latinos in Science and Engineering
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SACNAS - Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
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Vanguard - “Conversations with Women of Color in STEM, or #VanguardSTEM for short, is an online platform and community that centers the experiences of women of color, girls of color and non-binary people of color in STEM.”
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Lgbt+ physicists - “serving sexual and gender minorities in STEM”
APS and AAS Resources for various groups
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AAS Committee for Sexual-Orientation and Gender Minorities in Astronomy
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AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education
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APS National Mentoring Community: https://www.aps.org/programs/minorities/nmc/
UCI Resources (non-exhaustive!)
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“The Dynamic Womxn of UCI Awards, now in its 8th year, will celebrate and honor the incredible womxn who are leaders and role models actively making a difference in our community.”
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Nominations are open between March 19th and April 15th.
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Website and Nomination Form: https://womxnshub.uci.edu/events/DWA/DWA.php
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