New Report on How APS Can Be More Inclusive of LGBT Physicists
The APS Ad-Hoc Committee on LGBT Issues released a report on "LGBT Climate in Physics: Building an Inclusive Community" at the 2016 APS March Meeting in Baltimore, MD. Findings include: LGBT physicists experience workplace pressure to “not act too gay”; those with additional marginalized identities face greater discrimination; and transgender individuals experience the most hostile climate. Over a third of LGBT physicists surveyed considered leaving their department in the last year. The report recommends specific ways for APS to make the physics community more inclusive and safe, including establishing a broad-based Forum on Diversity and Inclusion. The report will also be presented in a session at the 2016 APS April Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is available to view on the APS website.
The National Mentoring Community at the 2016 APS April Meeting
The APS National Mentoring Community (NMC) provides support for successful mentoring relationships between physics faculty and African American, Hispanic American, and Native American undergraduate students. On the evening of April 15, prior to the 2016 APS April Meeting in Salt Lake City, the NMC will offer a workshop for mentors to aid the development of their mentees’ research self-efficacy, or belief that they “can do it.” For more information, visit the NMC Workshop webpage.
The 2017 APS Bridge Program Conference will be held in conjunction with the third APS / American Association of Physics Teachers’ Graduate Education Conference in College Park, Md., on February 10 - 12, 2017. More details coming soon.
NMC Conference — October 21 - 23, 2016; Registration Open April 6
The annual National Mentoring Community Conference will be held on October 21 - 23 at the University of Houston, and will highlight the importance of mentoring and research experiences for undergraduate students. The agenda will include a research experience for undergraduates and a graduate school fair, mentoring workshops for both students and faculty, plenary talks on supporting underrepresented students in physics, a research poster session, NASA tours, and more. NMC mentors and mentees receive special discounted rates and are eligible for travel funding to attend. Visit the 2016 NMC Conference webpage to register and learn more.
Editor: David Voss Staff Science Writer: Emily Conover Contributing Correspondent: Alaina G. Levine Art Director and Special Publications Manager: Kerry G. Johnson Publication Designer and Production: Nancy Bennett-Karasik
