Catherine Roberts

Describe the path you took to end up where you are now.

I was a strong student and went to college planning to become a high school French teacher. After earning an A in my first calculus course, my professor encouraged me to try a second calculus course. After receiving a second A, he encouraged me to become a math major. I was quite resistant at the time because my stereotype of a math geek was strong, and as an artistic student involved in singing and drama, I was not sure I would fit in. During my senior year of college, I realized I enjoyed math enough to want to keep studying it, so I went to five more years of college (called graduate school) to earn a doctorate degree. I was a college professor for 25 years and for the past five years have been leading my national professional society, the American Mathematical Society.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishments up until now, both in your job and in your life?

My biggest accomplishment is getting to the point where I can be a leading voice in my profession. I can help impact the lives of thousands of professional mathematicians in small and large ways, and this makes me happy. My spouse and I raised two children, which of course is my biggest accomplishment in life!

Describe any challenges you had on your journey to where you are now. How did you overcome those challenges, and what influence did they have on you?

To study for an advanced degree like a Ph.D. you have to really focus on it for four to six years. It was challenging for me to focus like that because I have a lot of interests. It was such a relief to emerge with my Ph.D. and pick up things like reading, theater, singing, gardening, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s hard when some people didn’t take me seriously – in college, I majored in art and math. When I decided to focus on math, some professors didn’t think I was serious enough about the math to be successful. Throughout my career, I have dealt with imposter syndrome – a sneaky feeling that I’m not good enough and someone is going to expose me. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of having friends I can be my authentic self with.

Have you ever faced discrimination, peer pressure, or gender bias as a woman interested in STEAM? How did you address it, and what is your advice to young women who might face the same things today?

Yes, I have. I remember walking down a hallway at a math conference and asking the person next to me if the reception was at the end of the hall. He said that it was, but it was restricted for mathematicians only. I remember mentioning that my boyfriend was also in graduate school, albeit 400 miles away. One of my professors remarked that I must have decided to come to Northwestern in order to be geographically closer to him. (What??? 400 miles is geographically close? Maybe I wanted to come to Northwestern because it was a highly ranked math program. Imagine that!) Casual exchanges like this, suggesting that I wasn’t ‘serious’ or ‘really a mathematician’ could have taken their toll, but mostly they strengthened my feminist sensibilities and my desire to always fight for the underdog. Now that I’m in a leadership position, it is my responsibility to make my profession more welcoming and inclusive than I found it. That math conference I mentioned just now? Well, now I’m in charge of this math conference, and can do what I can to help young women not have to deal with such insensitive remarks.

What advice do you have for high school age girls who want to go into your field of study (or STEAM in general)? What skills were most beneficial to you on your path? What do you wish you had known starting out?

If you like math and science, please take a course in computer programming. It will help you learn logic and how to think. You might like it enough to major or minor in it in college – and this is a surefire way to have a guaranteed well-paying job anywhere in the world. I do not believe that math talent is innate – I think learning to problem solve is something that anyone can learn with persistence. Recognize that we are each on our own journey and try not to judge. Always be open to learning something new.

What does it mean to you to use STEAM for positive change?

There are pressing issues on humanity right now, and scientific acumen is essential for society to thrive. I think it is our responsibility to work towards making the world a better place, and STEAM is a great way to have an impact.