WASHINGTON – Women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields need not just greater access to education and careers in STEM fields, but more support finishing the credentials and remaining in their jobs if gender and racial disparities are to be eliminated and if the United States is to maximize its potential as a just society and global leader.
That was the biggest takeaway from a public hearing of the House Science Committee on Thursday, two days after the introduction of the STEM Opportunities Act by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-TX, and ranking member Rep. Frank Lucas, R-OK.
“Today’s discussion is long overdue,” said committee chair Johnson in opening remarks, noting that the committee’s last such discussion on increasing diversity in STEM fields was in March 2010.
Since then, she said, progress has been “very slow” in some regards and nonexistent in others, an assertion that invited speakers and committee members backed up with statistics throughout the hearing.
Aimed at accountability, the bill would require:
· Collection of more comprehensive demographic data about recipients of federal research awards and on STEM faculty at U.S. universities.
· Development of consistent federal policies, such as no-cost award extensions, for recipients of federal research awards who have caregiving responsibilities.
