National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)
Purpose of the Evaluation
Data collected by the National Science Foundation and the National Center of Science and Engineering Statistics suggests that African Americans are woefully underrepresented in undergraduate and doctoral degree attainment, within faculty positions and professional private industry/governmental careers in the physical sciences. To enhance workforce development for African Americans in physics and astronomy, we collaborated with the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) to better understand the nature of the underrepresentation problem in physics and astronomy. More discussion is needed among critical stakeholders to understand the experiences and decision-making processes about professional pathways. The purpose of this project is to convene a group of stakeholders/experts in PK-12, higher education (from HBCUs and historically White campuses), and academic and industry careers with a range of expertise on academic and industry career pathways for African American students interested in the physical sciences.
Pre-Conference Goals
Harnessing the Power of Black Excellence in Physics and Astronomy:
A Report from the African American Workforce Development in Physics and Astronomy Workshop
Participants representing four-year institutions, professional organizations, government organizations and research organizations convened over the course of two days to discuss and develop an action plan for the career trajectory of African Americans in physics and astronomy fields. Participants were placed in breakout groups to address questions of how to increase access and retain African Americans.
