Call for Panelists for an Emerging Scholars Symposium on Climate and the Environment

Racial Justice in STEM, with focus on Climate Modeling, Environmental Chemistry, and Statistics and Analysis of Environmental Data

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Why: Bates College is currently engaged in serious exploration of how inclusive practices centering racial and social justice should be incorporated throughout its curriculum, scholarship, and governance and engagement. As we explore expanded curricular pathways related to climate and the environment, an inclusive excellence grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has helped us explore the effects of structural barriers to persistence and thriving in STEM due to racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression. We recognize that systemic barriers are often factors that shape how scholars approach their careers, and are often entangled with the types of questions that are asked by scientists and mathematicians. For the study of climate and the environment, what are these intersections and what  practices  will ensure that BIPOC students, faculty, and staff thrive?

What: The College seeks applications from postdoctoral scholars and advanced PhD students from groups underrepresented in the sciences working in one of three areas: 1) climate modeling, 2) environmental chemistry and 3) statistics and data analysis of environmental data. Attendees will receive a $2000 stipend and participate in an expenses-paid symposium where they will present their research, network with emerging scholars in their and related fields, serve on a panel discussing anti-racism in STEM, and experience the research and teaching environment of a nationally distinctive small liberal arts college. The symposium is scheduled for 7-9 April 2022 and coincides with our campus’ annual student research presentation event, the Mount David Summit (https://www.bates.edu/summit/) 

Goals: We have four main aims for this Emerging Scholars Symposium: (1) highlight current topics in research on climate modeling, environmental chemistry, and statistical analysis of environmental data featuring the research and/or pedagogies of the panelists; (2) discuss with faculty and students observations of and recommendations for racially and socially just practices in STEM education; (3) engage with curious undergraduates about their student research; and (4) foster mutually-supportive connections between the panelists and Bates faculty and students. 

Who: Postdocs & advanced PhD students from underrepresented groups
When: The application deadline is 1 March 2022. The symposium is 7-9 April 2022. 

Application: To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses the selection criteria listed below. Please submit applications via https://apply.interfolio.com/101982 by 1 March 2022. For more information, please contact Matt Duvall mduvall@bates.edu.

Candidate Selection: Candidates should state the research area with which they consider themselves most closely aligned. Invitations to participate will be based on the candidate’s field of study, proximity to completion of the PhD, evidence of anti-racist work in education and / or research, and thoughts on their desired career trajectory presented in the CV and cover letter.