AIP Task Force to Eliminate African American Underrepresentation in Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy -- TEAM-UP

The number of bachelor's degrees awarded in physics in the US is at an all-time high (8,440 degrees in 2016), yet the proportion of these degrees earned by African Americans remains appallingly low. Although the last decade has shown an increase in the number of physics bachelor's degrees earned by African Americans, it has not kept pace with the overall increases of physics bachelor's, nor with the overall rate of African Americans' bachelor's degrees across all majors AIP has established and funded a two-year National Task Force to Eliminate African American Underrepresentation in Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy (TEAM-UP) to investigate the reasons for the persistent underrepresentation of African American undergraduate students in physics and astronomy. This Task Force will produce a report of its findings with evidence-based recommendations for the physics and astronomy community -- particularly departments, funding agencies, and other stakeholders with the goal of significantly increasing the number of African American students obtaining physics and astronomy bachelor's degrees. AIP staff will share additional information regarding the Task Force, its mission, and proposed activities culminating in the Task Force Report.