Diversity
The Magnet Lab is committed to diversity in all areas of its facility, from undergraduates to faculty, technicians to professional staff. That commitment is put into practice through the lab’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which is aimed at increasing the recruitment and retention of both faculty and students from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Post doctoral associates Tesfaye Gebre and Ju-Hyun Park collect data in the Open Doors Lab, which provides research opportunities for underrepresented students and scientists.
The Magnet Lab is taking the necessary steps to become a nationally recognized leader in the diversity of its scientific, technical and engineering staff. We want to be as well known for our diversity as we are for the quality of our educational and outreach programs. How will we get there? By building permanent diversity into our scientific staff, and by actively working with and recruiting students from underrepresented groups – from grade school to graduate school – to encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in scientific research.
The Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan addresses an issue of critical national importance: developing a strong and diverse scientific and engineering work force as the U.S. increasingly faces challenges to its role as world leader in science and technology. Part of the plan is to identify promising underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students and to provide them with an enriching environment. Lab scientists regularly travel to give interdisciplinary lectures at minority-serving institutions as part of the College Outreach – Workforce Initiative (CO-WIN). By providing these students meaningful and relevant research opportunities, the lab helps reinforce students’ commitment to securing the highest degree possible.
The Magnet Lab also recognizes that early exposure to science increases the odds that an underrepresented student will pursue STEM subjects into college, and targets K-12 students through its educational outreach programs.
For more information, please contact Dragana Popovic, Diversity Committee Chair.
