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Overcoming Barriers to Diversity in Science

By Katie L. Burke

In this Google Hangout, sociologist Sandra Hanson discusses what the barriers to diversity in science are, what solutions she has seen work to promote diversity, and what barriers remain to be addressed.

November 5, 2015

From The Staff Sociology

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Sandra Hanson has been studying gender and racial diversity in science and engineering for more than two decades. In this Hangout, associate editor Katie L. Burke discusses with Hanson what the barriers to diversity in science are, what solutions she has seen work to promote diversity, and what barriers remain to be addressed.

A Storify of the Tweets detailing the discussion is shown below.

Overcoming Barriers to Diversity in Science

In this Google Hangout, associate editor Katie L. Burke discusses with sociologist Sandra Hanson what the barriers to diversity in science are, what solutions she has seen work to promote diversity, and what barriers remain to be addressed.

  1. _klburke
    Katie L. Burke@_klburke
    Looking forward to the Hangout I'm hosting in 45 min. Check out this 2012 paper by Hanson:  http://ijy.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.187/prod.196 …  https://twitter.com/SigmaXiSociety/status/659724456173006848 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 18:44:27
  2. SigmaXiSociety
    SigmaXiSociety@SigmaXiSociety
    Follow @AmSciMag's live tweets 3:30 ET from Google Hangout: Overcoming Barriers to #Diversity in #Science #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/105912012577473692435/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 18:56:44
  3. JLVernonPhD
    Jamie Vernon@JLVernonPhD
    Why so few women in science? Get some answers in today's @SigmaXiSociety hangout. Use #AmSciGHO to share. #AWIS  https://twitter.com/SigmaXiSociety/status/659806085675552768 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:29:00
  4. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    We're live tweeting now: #Diversity in #Science sponsored by @UArkansas @SigmaXiSociety Chapter  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 … #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:36:07
  5. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    "Science is not fair" Can't stress how important it is to have equality in opportunity in #science -Sandra Hanson of @CatholicUniv #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:38:17
  6. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Some groups not equally represented in #science: women, people of color - Sandra Hanson from @CatholicUniv #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:40:30
  7. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    If students don't see people who look like them in textbooks, they don't see themselves in #science -Dr. Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:42:26
  8. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Some groups not equally represented in #science: women, people of color - Sandra Hanson from @CatholicUniv #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:40:30
  9. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Low-income groups live with smaller tax base, creates barrier to #science when they don't have good labs in schools -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:41:39
  10. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson discussing importance of ethnic role models for kids getting into #stem #diversity #latinos  https://plus.google.com/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:42:25
  11. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    If students don't see people who look like them in textbooks, they don't see themselves in #science -Dr. Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:42:26
  12. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Engineering, physics, chemistry are areas of science where women are least represented -Dr. Hanson #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:43:38
  13. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Women think if they're good at science, they're competitive but it's more "who you know" - Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:45:55
  14. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Women feel they can't have a family and be competitive. Men can. Better family policies would create opportunities for #WIS - SH #AmSciGhHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:48:42
  15. KStackWhitney
    Kaitlin StackWhitney@KStackWhitney
    @AmSciMag women also THINK that or "know" that from previous experience, witnessing bias/sexism, etc
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:51:20
  16. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson in #AmSciGHO discussing need for a network, not just skill/merit, in getting ahead in #stem #diversity  https://plus.google.com/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:47:02
  17. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Shout out to a question from @SigmaXiSociety online community, The Lab in today's Google Hangout on #Diversity  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:50:04
  18. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Young girls win awards in all areas of science, a sign of progress for women in science -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:53:58
  19. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Stereotypes persist despite young girls winning awards in sci contests etc. #AmsciGHO #stem #diversity  https://plus.google.com/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:54:04
  20. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    When women start getting successful and thus competing w colleagues, that's when they experience the most discrimination. #amscigho #stem
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:55:09
  21. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson @CatholicUniv in #AmSciGHO: Have to police science systems of hiring, recruitment, mentoring to get past discrimination. #STEM
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:56:19
  22. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    When you enter any elite place, people in power determine what happens to you, and people are afraid to speak up: Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:58:07
  23. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    I would like folks who are products of biased system to receive help in realizing diversity is a resource: Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 19:59:54
  24. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Americans don't fare well overall on #diversity. In other places, girls score higher in #science -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:04:52
  25. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    False data said gender differences exist in the brain, impacted society's ideas of how well women can do in science -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:09:07
  26. diannetimblin
    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin
    Sandra Hanson: Impt for scientists to internalize that diversity is a resource--it makes science better #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/105912012577473692435/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:06:01
  27. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    False data said gender differences exist in the brain, impacted society's ideas of how well women can do in science -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:09:07
  28. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    If we could increase #diversity in #science textbooks, that would help get more #diversity in #science- Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:12:25
  29. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: Women are getting the degrees, but I wish the change was happening faster. #AmSciGHO #stem #diversity
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:13:42
  30. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    We need more mentoring, more networking to connect up-and-coming scientists to new comers to promote #diversity- Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:14:34
  31. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson @CatholicUniv: Fastest way to induce change would be to make grant money dependent on #diversity in #stem teams. #AmSciGHO
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:14:52
  32. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: #diversity means scientists make different assumptions and create new ideas. #AmSciGHO #stem @CatholicUniv
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:16:35
  33. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Being outside of good old boy network allows someone to ask new questions in #science. -Sandra Hanson of @CatholicUniv #AmSciGHO #diversity
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:16:41
  34. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: #diversity can break open assumptions/limitations, bring new ideas, solve big probs of environment, hunger, etc. #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:17:53
  35. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    "Racism in science goes way back" We need to get rid of any idea that #race is related to #science talent. -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:19:43
  36. diannetimblin
    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin
    Sandra Hanson:Little change in sci bk portrayals over yrs. Recent study reveals 70% of people shown in sci textbks are white males #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:20:19
  37. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    The stereotype about race and ability in science holds us back. -Sandra Hanson of @CatholicUniv #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 …
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:20:29
  38. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: Even young people have stereotypes about race and ability in #stem #amscigho #diversity
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:20:40
  39. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: #diversity in #stem issue is a class issue; if race relates to wealth, it will affect funding for stem education #amscigho
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:21:54
  40. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Class is a huge issue in achieving racial #diversity in #science. They don't have good science classrooms -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:22:13
  41. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: Just ONE teacher who encourages girls/minorities can make all the difference to a girl in #stem #AmSciGHO @trishmatos
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:22:48
  42. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Stereotype threat is real: If there are ideas you aren't good in #science, it can affect you. -Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:23:34
  43. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    "This is not anti-male or anti-white. We need fair #science." -Social scientist Sandra Hanson of @CatholicUniv on #diversity #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:25:42
  44. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: What can white males do to affect change? Accept idea that you got where you are in pt bc system biased toward you. #AmSciGHO
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:24:26
  45. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Give all young people support, career guidance starting in elem school about #science to increase #diversity - Sandra Hanson #AmSciTalks
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:28:40
  46. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    What allowed me to survive the gauntlet of science is people who had faith in me and sought talent -Dr. Sandra Hanson #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:29:15
  47. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: Need to get the women/minority faculty in, to mentor the students. #amscigho #diversity #stem
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:27:52
  48. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    "This is not anti-male or anti-white. We need fair #science." -Social scientist Sandra Hanson of @CatholicUniv on #diversity #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:25:42
  49. diannetimblin
    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin
    Sandra Hanson abt post-undergrad women in sci:“How do you retain?You have mentors, you have advisors,you have links to scientists” #AmSciGHO
    ·
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:26:04
  50. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: Need to get the women/minority faculty in, to mentor the students. #amscigho #diversity #stem
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:27:52
  51. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    Sandra Hanson: People in power try to stay in power. Women aren't saints. Impt keep mechanisms for fairness across board. #AmSciGHO #stem
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:31:40
  52. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    .@SigmaXiSociety members can continue to talk about #diversity in #science in The Lab, our online community  http://community.sigmaxi.org/home 
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:33:35
  53. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Thanks for following our live tweets today about #diversity in #science. To see the recording:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cj5nepmo2heakesllai3gc61bj0 … #AmSciGHO
    Thu, Oct 29 2015 20:35:59

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