Tapping the Minority Talent Pool for Academic Chemistry

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

Isiah Warner of Lousiana State University and Nicholas Turro of Columbia University are supported by the NSF Chemistry Division's Integrative Chemistry Activities to organize a workshop on "Tapping the Minority Talent Pool for Academic Chemistry." The workshop will consider (1) the current status of underrepresented minorities on chemistry faculties; (2) barriers to, and successful strategies for, the recruitment of minority chemists to faculty positions; and (3) new approaches to attract and retain minority faculty in chemistry departments in U.S. institutions. Chemistry departments continue to have low numbers of underrepresented minority faculty members, and consequently this is a topic of critical interest to the discipline -- the underutilization of the available talent pool. The workshop will present evidence that research and teaching are improved when academic chemistry faculties reflect the diversity of the U.S. The workshop is viewed as having potentially broad impact not only within chemistry, but other disciplines as well.