American Institutes for Research Joins National Effort to Advance Equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine

Effort will be highlighted at White House event on May 1.

Reducing bias and advancing equity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) fields is an essential part of a broader national commitment to strengthen innovation, increase opportunity, and create a more equitable world. To support this effort, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) has invested in a two-year partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) STEMM Opportunity Alliance(SOA), an initiative developed as part of the National Strategy for STEMM Equity and Excellence.

On May 1, SOA will unveil a roadmap for achieving STEMM equity by 2050. AIR experts have contributed insight and guidance into the strategy, along with 150 partner organizations and thousands of thought leaders and community representatives across the country. The roadmap will be shared as part of the 2024 White House Summit on STEMM Equity and Excellence, hosted in partnership with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Several AIR experts will participate in this event, including AIR Vice President Dean Gerdeman, who will join a panel discussion focused on creating measurable goals and accountability measures across SOA initiatives.

"Improving how we meet the diverse needs of all students and prepare them for careers in STEMM-related fields requires a shift in how we approach our work," says Julie Kochanek, AIR senior vice president. "The STEMM Opportunity Alliance will seek to identify the most significant barriers to achieving equity and create evidence-based solutions that drive change."

AIR joins partners and voices from education communities, academia, and government agencies to support the national strategy. Specifically, AIR will serve as an accountability partner across SOA's five pillars of STEMM equity:

• Engagement: nurturing curiosity in every child;
• Inspiration: developing skilled and diverse educators;
• Discovery: creating opportunity for all in higher education;
• Innovation: leveraging diverse minds in research and development; and
• Opportunity: ensuring all workers thrive.

To track progress in these areas, AIR, in collaboration with AAAS and other SOA partners, will: (1) refine accountability indicators and create a companion action plan; (2) create a shared understanding of the accountability indicators, plans, and reporting expectations across pillars; (3) support AAAS in developing a technical plan for data collection and management; and (4) conduct needs-sensing activities to better understand resources needed for data reporting in future years.

Learn moreabout AIR's commitment to STEMM and advancing educational equity.