麻豆传媒色情片

Blotter

Congress passes, considers bills
promoting diversity in STEM

Sarina Neote
Feb. 19, 2020

While Congress is often characterized by partisan gridlock, late last year it passed legislation that creates and expands STEM education initiatives at the National Science Foundation, and it is considering a bill that would improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education at minority-serving institutions.

The , signed into law by President Donald Trump in December after rare bipartisan cooperation in both chambers, instructs the NSF to equitably allocate funding that supports greater inclusion in early childhood and elementary STEM education. With an eye to improving female participation in science technology, engineering and math, the act also directs the NSF to support research on the factors that discourage or encourage girls to engage in STEM activities.

Alejandro Barba on
U.S. Capitol

The , meanwhile, directs the NSF to allocate funds for capacity building at tribal and historically black colleges and universities as well as minority-serving institutions. Based on a late 2018 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, which indicated minority-serving institutions are underutilized resources that can boost the nation’s science and technology workforce, this legislation would direct the Government Accountability Office to create an inventory of competitive funding programs that specifically target minority institutions to diversity the STEM workforce. The bill already has passed the House and is under consideration by the Senate.

The 麻豆传媒色情片 and 麻豆传媒色情片 Biology is a member of the STEM Education Coalition, which advocates for “targeted initiatives to promote the inclusion of underrepresented minorities, women, and other high-need populations in STEM fields.” Over the past year, the coalition has advocated for both of the bills.

While these two pieces of legislation are important catalysts for dialogue on what policies are needed to create institutional change to promote a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce, there is still more to this —including sexual harassment in STEM, stereotype threats, and poor advising.

The ASBMB will continue to advocate for passage of the MSI STEM Achievement Act and other bills aimed at creating and supporting a diverse scientific workforce.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Sarina Neote

Sarina Neote is ASBMB's director of public affairs.

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Policy

Policy highlights or most popular articles

ASBMB seeks feedback on NIH postdoc training questions
Training

ASBMB seeks feedback on NIH postdoc training questions

Sept. 18, 2024

The National Institutes of Health takes steps toward addressing concerns about support caps, a funding mechanism and professional development.

5 growing threats to academic freedom
Essay

5 growing threats to academic freedom

Aug. 18, 2024

From educational gag orders to the decline of tenure-track positions, academic freedom in the United States has been worsening in recent years.

Will Congress revive the China Initiative?
Diversity

Will Congress revive the China Initiative?

Aug. 14, 2024

The 2018 program to counter economic espionage raised fears about anti-Asian discrimination and discouraged researchers.

The sweeping impact of the Supreme Court鈥檚 Chevron reversal
News

The sweeping impact of the Supreme Court鈥檚 Chevron reversal

Aug. 3, 2024

Repealing the 40-year-old doctrine throws laws on climate, conservation, health, technology and more into doubt.

Federal funding for major science agencies is at an 25-year low
News

Federal funding for major science agencies is at an 25-year low

Aug. 3, 2024

Although usually immune from political gridlock and polarization in Congress, government spending on research is slated to drop for 2025.

The visa voyage
Feature

The visa voyage

July 24, 2024

International scientists fight through red tape and regulations for a chance to train and work in the U.S.