Broadening Participation in Environmental Biology - Exploring What Works
Type of Session
Discussion Symposium
Abstract
Broadening participation, that is, bringing members of under-represented groups into academic science, is a major challenge. There are so many different, and yet interlocking, pieces of the problem that the issue can appear to be almost insoluble. And yet, every day, people, like you, are actively engaging in activities that are broadening participation in the sciences. How do we take stock of what you are doing well? How do we inquire appreciatively about your actions that are novel, and impressive? Based on an NSF-sponsored study to explore what works to broaden participation in Environmental Biology, the moderators will lead a discussion using Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a theory of organizational change that suggests that instead of looking at a system’s failings, we look for what is working, study it, and then find ways to replicate and disseminate the knowledge. This discussion takes an AI approach to examine the high points, those moments of great pride, related to actions participants took to broaden participation.
Primary Contact
Dr. John F Cabra, PhD, State University of New York, Buffalo State
Presenters
Dr. John F Cabra, PhD, State University of New York, Buffalo State
E-mail address (preferred) or phone number
Title of paper
Broadening Participation in Environmental Biology - Exploring What Works