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Programs & Outreach

Publishing Alliance

MRS publishes with Springer Nature

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Programs, Activities, Virtual Content and Resources

Programs

MRS UREM Student Science Writing Program

The MRS UREM (Underrepresented Racial, Ethnic, and Historically Marginalized Groups) Student Science Writing Program offers students an opportunity to work with MRS Bulletin staff to develop communication skills and write MRS news articles, blogs, social media posts, or other communications. The Program also provides recipients with student membership in MRS and exposes them to both MRS staff and volunteers who can help them grow professionally as materials scientists, and remain active, engaged members of the materials community.

Click here to apply or for more information.

Made possible thanks to MRS long time member Steven C. Moss
Individual contributions to the MRS Diversity and Inclusion fund can be made here.

MRS PREM Research Scholars Summit

The PREM Research Scholars Summit offers student scholars the chance to engage with materials researchers and meet key stakeholders within the materials community. Students can take part is a variety of mentoring, leadership, and professional development sessions, and present their research contributions to the broader scientific community.

The PREM Research Scholars Summit is hosted by MRS and in collaboration with the National Science Foundation’s Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) 

Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Alliance

MRS is proud to collaborate with APS, ACS, AGU, and AAS to form the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Alliance, which aims to increase the participation of Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups in graduate studies, including the field of materials science and engineering.   As part of the National Science Foundation (U.S.) INCLUDES Network, IGEN strives to share best practices for inclusive graduate education to faculty, administrators, and students in an effort to broaden participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). 

Graduate students or postdocs from groups historically marginalized in STEM may apply for a $1,000 travel grant <link to https://igenetwork.org/index.php/travel-grants> to attend a disciplinary society meeting.


Women in Materials Science & Engineering

MRS promotes interaction across various ethnic, cultural, and gender boundaries through interactive workshops, webinars and keynote breakfasts.


Childcare Grants

The Materials Research Society has a limited number of childcare grants available for those attending the annual Meetings. Grants of up to $300 will be given to selected registered meeting attendees who are bringing young children or who incur extra expenses in leaving them at home (i.e., added hours of daycare or babysitting services). 


Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM

MRS is a founding member of the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM, which is a collective of professional and academic societies committed to advancing professional and ethical conduct, climate and culture—and excellence—in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).

Developing-Country Discounted Memberships

To better serve students and professionals from all technical and economic sectors of the worldwide materials community, individuals working or studying in developing countries are eligible for discounted electronic membership.  Learn more »

 

 

Videos

At the 2023 MRS Fall Meeting, MRS TV shines a light on MRS members and the strength diversity brings to the society.


Attendees from the Fall 2023 Women in Materials Science & Engineering Breakfast share their takeaways from speaker Angeliki Diane Rigos' message.


 At the 2023 MRS Fall Meeting, Anne Lynn-Gillian Daniel is back on MRS TV to share a preview of her upcoming article on informal science education.

MRS TV talks to Rebecca Anthony and Kalpana Katti of the MRS Career Advancement Committee about MRS diversity programming, with an emphasis on the new Diversifying Materials Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Angeliki Diane Rigos shares lessons with MRS TV from her Keynote speech at the Fall 2023 Women in Materials Science & Engineering Breakfast.


At the 2023 MRS Fall Meeting, MRS TV talks to Dr. Róisín M. Owens about the interdisciplinary work in drug and pathogen interactions highlighted in her Symposium X lecture.

MRS TV talks to Ashley White, Interim Deputy for Strategy Division Office and Director of Communications at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, about her career path as well as her perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Each year, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) program, MRS hosts the PREM Research Scholars Summit.

 

Kalpana Katti and Rebecca Anthony discuss the “Broadening Participation in the Materials Community” event about the newly-launched MRS Diversifying Materials Special Interest Groups at the 2022 MRS Spring Meeting.

Webinars

Empowering Future Leaders: Mentoring Strategies for Young Researchers. Are you ready to take your mentoring skills to the next level? Whether you're an experienced mentor or someone seeking guidance, we have an incredible opportunity for you.

Green Cards for Scientific Researchers. Learn everything you need to know to understand the U.S. immigration system and maximize your chances of winning a green card from Brian Getson, Esq. 

Walking the Walk – Intersections of Underrepresentation (Part II). Join this diverse panel of scientists as they discuss their lived experiences and how societal issues impact the careers of marginalized researchers at all career levels.

Becoming WiSE (Women In Science & Engineering). Shirley Meng shares her personal journey of being a female Asian immigrant in the US academic field and how Materials Science and Engineering play a key role in enabling some of the most exciting new developments in energy storage technology.

 

Green Cards for Scientific Researchers—How to Win Your EB-1/NIW Case! Interested in getting a permanent Green Card to work in the United States?

Intersections of Underrepresentation in Materials Science and Engineering. For this interactive panel discussion exploring real-life examples of bias and injustice against underrepresented groups and develop strategies to create a more accepting and inclusive environment. 

 

The DOE Basic Energy Sciences - Early Career Network Presents: Diving into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: From Understanding to Action in STEM. Scientists will learn from national leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM in this free and public Zoom webinar rebroadcast. 

Banish Impostor Syndrome for Good! In this webinar, you will learn strategies and tactics to rid this from your brilliant mind and how to navigate it and stamp it out if it creeps into every day scenarios. 

 

Understanding Unconscious Bias. Check out resources to help identify them in the workforce. 


 

Resources

MRS Volunteer Leader Resources

Inclusive leadership is leading a diverse group of people while respecting their uniqueness, embracing their differences and creating a comfortable space for all to contribute. Inclusive leaders are self-aware and take steps to mitigate biases by welcoming different perspectives to catalyze collaboration and inform decision-making. Key mindsets that enable inclusive leadership are self-awareness, curiosity, courage, vulnerability and empathy.

Unconscious Bias Resources

The best way to reduce unconscious biases is to become aware of them. Start here with resources to increase recognition and minimize our own biases

Articles

Videos

  • Inclusion Starts With I. A video discussion around the importance of a positive, inclusive work environment.
  • Matter of Fact Listening Tour:  The Truth about Bias. Conversations about the relationship of race and privilege; racial stress; the impact of bias in the images and language in our daily news and information; and the creation of stereotypes and how they influence the way we think.

Trainings and Evaluations

Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Library

The Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Alliance, aims to increase the participation of Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minorities (UREM) in graduate studies. Check out the for tips, articles, publication, and presentation.

MRS is in collaboration with APS, ACS, AGU, AAS, CIMER, RIT (Inclusive Practices Hub), and USC (Research Hub)

MRS Bulletin: Diversity in Materials Science and Engineering Features

Recently, MRS published a series of articles on Diversity and Inclusion issues facing underrepresented minorities within the materials community.  The MRS Bulletin: Diversity in Materials Science and Engineering series is freely accessible using the links below.

Materials Researchers with Asian Heritage—A Discussion with Khánh Vũ

MRS Chief Editor for Technical Content Gopal Rao discusses some of the challenges and obstacles Asian scientists and engineers face today with Khánh Vũ, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers CEO & Executive Director.

Diversity in Materials Science—A Discussion with Hugo Caicedo

Awards Committee Co-Chair Suveen Mathaudhu discusses some of the challenges and obstacles black scientists face in STEM with Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University Fellow, Hugo Caicedo.

Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE)

CESSE has compiled Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources, including books, podcasts, webinars, online resources, articles and consultants focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.