About the Seminar
Prof. Johnston opens our seminar series by providing a workshop-style discussion of issues of diversity and inclusion, in particular in STEM. She begins by addressing the interplay between discomfort and diversity; our own perspectives, contexts and experiences affect how we engage with these topics. She highlights that it is important to confront uncomfortable topics and face the scope of the change we are capable of making in order to benefit from our differences. We then discuss the central question, Why diversify? Prof. Johnston leads a conversation that asks us to address the usual excuses for lack of diversity in STEM (including pipeline issues and lack of role models) as well as to think about the possible positive impacts diversity can have on our immediate community and the field as a whole.
Resources
Prof. Johnston suggests reading An Inclusive Academy by Abigail J. Stewart & Virginia Valia for a summary of the ideas and studies presented in her seminar.
Additionally, she has kindly provided her slides as an additional reference.