Introducing Diversity in Chemistry Classrooms

Diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has shown overall positive benefits in both industry and academia. Generally, diverse groups tend to have improved creativity and overall outcomes in the workplace and classroom over homogeneous groups. However, it seems that in STEM representation from underrepresented groups lags behind US population demographics.

As shown in the TED Talk above, when we are asked to think of a scientist we often envision white men or a small representative group of white women. In looking at the undergraduate curriculum in chemistry, it is may not be a surprise how this is the outcome. In general chemistry, when reviewing important chemical discoveries I typically refer to the scientists as "dead white guys" and then point out that our scientific community is no longer monotone. In content heavy chemistry courses, it may appear difficult to interject any discussions of diversity into the curriculum.

Diversity in Chemistry is meant to change the narrative and provide a method for interjecting diversity easily into your classroom. Introducing a diverse chemist at the beginning of each class or chapter can not only heighten visibility, but hopefully provide powerful role models for students of diverse backgrounds. The website is organized by subdiscipline. In each discipline, chemists are placed in chronological order based on birth year when birth years are provided.

We would love to have suggestions for chemists that are not currently featured on the site. Please feel to submit any entries on our google form: https://forms.gle/SdUbJ3sDjnbxKuf59.

Also if you have any questions or would like to reach out, please email me at kate.ries@metrostate.edu.