Sisters speak on research in the academy

PROF 40

Gilda Barabino, g.barabino@neu.edu, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 342 Snell Engineering Center, Boston, MA 02115
African-American women comprise a mere 1.3% of the science and engineering (S&E) workforce and are severely underrepresented among the S&E faculty. Speaking with African-American women about their research experience unveils several common threads across levels and institutions and helps shed light on the unique set of challenges facing this group that impede educational and career advancement and contribute to the persistence of underrepresentation. These challenges impact identity formation as a scientist/engineer and professional socialization, both of which help dictate research success and career progression. This presentation will address these issues through the lens and in the voices of African-American women. Continued dialogue is crucial to ensure the full engagement of African-American women in the academic research enterprise.