Evolving Physics and Astronomy Department Culture: Student Perspectives

It has been well-established that percentages of African American Physics and Astronomy majors are extremely low. In the most recent report from the American Institute of Physics (AIP) TEAM-UP, ‘The Time Is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics & Astronomy’, the metrics and data presented in the appendix clearly indicate disparities in African Americans awarded bachelors degrees in Physics and Astronomy. However, as a black female physics student having attended a Predominantly White Institution (PWI), I didn’t need to confirm this with statistics having experienced the underrepresentation. In this talk, I will explore these disparities from a student’s perspective and outline methods for systemic change. By laying out some key terms and factors as indicated in
the aforementioned TEAM-UP report, I will more clearly define departmental culture and how it can affect retention and progression towards degree completion for AA students. Lastly, I will also provide testimonials from students, depicting a more personal story which gives insight into the experiences that make up the statistics.