stemm

A report many years in the making was released this week by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) that, for the first time in the organization’s history, confronts racism in its title. After the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests, federal agencies and private foundations prioritized sponsoring a report on antiracism and diversity, equity and inclusion, focused on science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM). The resulting Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations: Beyond Broadening Participation aims to move beyond promoting numeric diversity and outlines actions that STEMM leaders and gatekeepers can take to “foster a culture and climate of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion that is genuinely accessible and supportive to all.”

Seeking fundamental changes in access to and equity in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) education, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and participants from across sectors met and sought ways to ensure the STEMM ecosystem is equitable and inclusive. OSTP, along with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF), have launched the STEMM Opportunity Alliance (SOA), a national initiative to lead and coordinate this and future cross-sector action to achieve equity across STEMM fields. To date, more than $4 million has been committed to launch SOA with more than 90 partners signing onto the effort.