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.

• Inclusive Leadership Quick Guide (PDF)
• Unconscious Bias Awareness for MRS Volunteers (video)

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.

• Latino engineering faculty in the United States
• Queer identities in materials science and engineering
• Representation of Native Americans in US science and engineering faculty
• Strengthening diversity and cooperation through international collaborations: A focus on Africa, South America, and the Caribbean
• Academic pipeline for scientists with disabilities
• Professional societies and African American engineering leaders: Paving pathways and empowering legacies
• Progress in the engineering profession: A Canadian perspective

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.

• Video Interview
• Surfacing Anti-Black Science and Building Antiracist Teams
  

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.

• Video Interview

Intersections of Underrepresentation in Materials Science and Engineering—An MRS OnDemand Webinar

This interactive panel discussion explored real-life examples of bias and injustice against individuals from a diverse set of underrepresented groups

• Webinar Recording
  

Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Library

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 Minorities (UREM) in graduate studies, including the field of materials science and engineering. IGEN strives to share best practices for inclusive graduate education to faculty, administrators, and UREM students—a number of tips, articles, publications and presentations can be found in their resource library.

Unconscious Bias Resources

Unconscious bias (or implicit bias) refers to unconscious beliefs or stereotypes that influence our actions and decisions when interacting with other people.  Though we would like to believe that we are able to make our own, objective opinions and judgements about our peers, we often fall short of these perceptions.  Below are some resources to help us recognize and minimize our own implicit biases.

Articles

• How to Combat Unconscious Bias Infographic
• Guide to Allyship
  An open source starter guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally.
• Overcoming Unconscious Bias
  Profiles in Diversity Journal article about creating an inclusive workplace environment.
• Allyship: The Key to Unlocking the Power of Diversity
  Forbes article about the unique and challenging journey to becoming and remaining an ally.

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

• AIChE Train the Trainer (Unconscious Bias)
• Implicit Association Test
  Measure the attitudes and beliefs that you may be willing or unable to recognize with the Implicit Association Test.

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.

MS&T20 Town Hall

The materials science community is an exciting field that contains a plethora of opportunities depending on your specific interest. Yet for minorities and marginalized groups, accessing these opportunities can be difficult.

How do we build a community that welcomes, includes, and supports people from all walks of life? There are no easy answers, but starting a discussion is the first step.

ACerS, TMS, and AIST hosted a town hall during MS&T20 to talk about broadening participation in the materials science and engineering profession. Watch the recording now »