In June of 2021, I headed a ProCURE (Promoting Chemistry Undergraduate Research Equity) initiative to survey undergraduate chemistry students in 100- and 200-level courses. The purpose of this survey was to identify barriers undergraduate students in the department might be encountering when trying to access research experiences. Our hope was that by identifying these barriers, ProCURE could work with the department and undergraduates to develop solutions.
In my opinion, the two greatest take-always from the survey results were:
(1) undergraduate students felt unsure of how to navigate obtaining an undergraduate research position or were discouraged after attempts at contacting professors and not hearing back
and
(2) students who reported less financial security and/or a lower economic status were more likely to report that taking unpaid research positions presented a financial barrier.
and
(2) students who reported less financial security and/or a lower economic status were more likely to report that taking unpaid research positions presented a financial barrier.
I’m excited to say that today we met with Professor Munira Khalil, the head of the Department of Chemistry, and Diana Knight, the Chemistry Department's Advancement & Communications Manager, to discuss the results of our survey and brainstorm solutions. In the past our group has faced a certain amount of resistance to our suggestions for improving department culture surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m happy to say that today I believe we made progress and have some very good ideas on how ProCURE and the department can work together to improve things! Some of these ideas include reworking the department’s website on undergraduate research, potentially partnering with Free Radicals (an undergraduate chemistry club at the university) to form an undergraduate research network, and (perhaps most excitingly!) the department is looking at piloting funding a limited number of undergrad students for research experience! These undergraduate students would be from communities who traditionally have trouble obtaining paid research positions, such as international, socioeconomically disadvantaged, or first-generation students.
Following our meeting, Diana reached out to Nayon (another ProCURE leader) and I for advice on some other things in the department. I'm hoping this is a sign of good will and continued partnership between our group and department leadership.
All around, I’m feeling very hopeful for progress as a result of today’s meeting!