It’s a Very White Place: Racial Realities in Undergraduate Science Education for BIPOC Geoscientists

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Belongingness and Inclusivity in Higher Education (Table 2)

Abstract

This study uses CRT and standpoint centering to critically examine the racial realities in undergraduate science education among 10 BIPOC geosciences. The themes illustrate early experiences with geoscience that motivate intentions to pursue careers in this field, the chilly climate experienced within scientific communities, and strategies for navigating the boundaries of belonging in geosciences and STEM environments. Systemic racism and limited racial representation in geosciences threaten the field’s ability to address complex environmental issues involving climate, water, energy, and food security. Thus, it is critically important to engage diverse voices and perspectives to unpack and dismantle policies and practices that perpetuate racial injustice in this field. Implications for institutions, policies, and practices are discussed.

Authors

• Jennifer Michelle Johnson, Temple University

• Marisa Lally, George Mason University

• Christina W. Yao, University of South Carolina

• Elizabeth R. Jackson, Temple University

• Vijay Kanagala, Salem State University

• Chrystal A. George Mwangi, George Mason University

• Onjale Scott Price, George Mason University