Chem4REAL: Research Engages All Learners

There’s nothing magical about the laboratory, and yet for many of us undergraduate research is the turning point in our careers. In this episode, Professor Chris Chang reflects on his journey from the bench to Berkeley and how his persistence, tenacity and wonder led to his success.

How can students navigate a system that may not be welcoming to them? Moreover, how can we, as academic professionals, support all students? In this episode, two Asian students in STEM share their experiences and provide perspectives that benefit all students, faculty, and staff. Throughout the episode, suggestions are provided to help all think about how individuals from different backgrounds have different constraints to their academic success. Mentors and higher educational professionals attuned to these differences can help students from non-majority backgrounds thrive in their chosen disciplines and college/university system.

Our students don’t study or perform research in a vacuum; current events deeply impact them. In this episode, Professor Venugopal Mukku in the Department of Math, Science, and Technology at the University of Minnesota Crookston speaks with students about the impacts of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent murder trial on themselves and their college experiences. To allow the students to explore their thinking without fear of retribution, the students are not named.

As academics, it is our responsibility to create an open, inclusive learning environment for all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, and all other dimensions of diversity. In this episode of the Chem4REAL podcast, Drs. Amy Deveau and Toni Barstis interview their LGBTQIA+ former students, now STEM professionals, about their experiences. These two transgender males openly share their experiences of transitioning while pursuing higher education and their challenges seeking professional jobs and advancement. The strength they have gained from overcoming these challenges and advice for gender inclusivity in STEM is clearly discussed in this podcast. Learn from their reflections, and ask yourself: do you create a safe space for all students, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community?

In this episode Dr. Lindsey Davis, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry, discusses diversity in hiring and the Berry College DEI statement with her Provost Dr. Mary Boyd.  Together they explore reasons for broadening faculty diversity, tips on how to bring about a more equitable hiring process, and what exactly to put into a DEI statement. In particular they discuss how some of our standard pedigree-driven criteria discussions can introduce bias and how to make progress on more inclusive practices.  This episode will help those that are engaged in a faculty search, seeking a faculty position, or thinking about their own institutional practices.

In this two-part episode, three STEM students/professionals in the LatinX community engage in a frank discussion about their personal journeys in obtaining higher education in STEM.  During a conversation moderated by Dr. Hector Palencia, Professor of Chemistry at University of Nebraska, Kearney, these three individuals boldly discuss their challenges as immigrants to the U.S., including experiencing discrimination and bias,  navigating the US educational and financial systems, dealing with fears of deportation, and serving as interpreters and advocates for their families and communities. The strength they have gained from overcoming these challenges, their successes in STEM, and their hopes for a brighter future are made evident in this podcast. Learn from their reflections, and ask yourself: do you really know what challenges your students face outside of the classroom?

In this two-part episode, three STEM students/professionals in the LatinX community engage in a frank discussion about their personal journeys in obtaining higher education in STEM.  During a conversation moderated by Dr. Hector Palencia, Professor of Chemistry at University of Nebraska, Kearney, these three individuals boldly discuss their challenges as immigrants to the U.S., including experiencing discrimination and bias,  navigating the US educational and financial systems, dealing with fears of deportation, and serving as interpreters and advocates for their families and communities. The strength they have gained from overcoming these challenges, their successes in STEM, and their hopes for a brighter future are made evident in this podcast. Learn from their reflections, and ask yourself: do you really know what challenges your students face outside of the classroom?

In the final episode of the season Dr Venugopal Mukku, Associate Professor in the Math, Science and Technology Department at the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus, interviews Dr. Karen Almeida, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Rhode Island College.  Together they explore the flipped classroom model for general chemistry and discuss differential student responses. 

In this episode we hear from three successful female chemistry faculty working primarily with undergraduates.  They reflect on their own undergraduate experiences, how they navigated to eventual success, and how it continues to shape their teaching and research today.

In this month’s episode, three faculty discuss their strategies and ideas for being more intentionally inclusive in the classroom.  From our discussion you’ll hear why we think being intentional is important and how we have more explicitly embraced diversity.  Learn about concrete ideas that you can implement today.

WARNING:  Please be advised that this content includes topics that some listeners may find triggering.

In this installment of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity series, we hear the inspirations and challenges of a recent chemistry graduate from Rhode Island College. In it she describes experiences navigating the academic system, finding her path, thoughts on belonging, and the supports she found valuable along the way.  

In this episode, Dr. Bridget Gourley, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Dean of the Faculty at DePauw University in Greencastle Indiana interviews Dr. Joe Reczek, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Denison University in Granville Ohio.  Together they explore their classrooms and campuses from the lens of racial equity and provide simple yet concrete strategies to becoming an anti-racist.

In this series of three podcasts we hear from seasoned faculty as they discuss what they have done to maintain chemistry research engagement with our undergraduate students in light of the pandemic.  As colleagues reflected on the past 7 months, their responses fell into three themes. Part I focuses on lessons learned, Part II on keeping students engaged, and Part III on issues of inclusivity and equity.

In this series of three podcasts we hear from seasoned faculty as they discuss what they have done to maintain chemistry research engagement with our undergraduate students in light of the pandemic.  As colleagues reflected on the past 7 months, their responses fell into three themes. Part I focuses on lessons learned, Part II on keeping students engaged, and Part III on issues of inclusivity and equity.

In this series of three podcasts we hear from seasoned faculty as they discuss what they have done to maintain chemistry research engagement with our undergraduate students in light of the pandemic.  As colleagues reflected on 2020, their responses fell into three themes. Part I focuses on lessons learned, Part II on keeping students engaged, and Part III on issues of inclusivity and equity.

In this episode, Dr. Nicholas Ball, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Pomona College, interviews Dr. Silvia Ronco, Program Director at the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and current Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) President.  Silvia outlines her vision of inclusion and transformation as CUR strives to be the premier voice of undergraduate research across the nation and beyond.  CUR is a unique community of like-minded faculty who strive to sustain strong mentorship programs for higher education faculty, regardless of rank and experience.  Come join the CUR community.

You may have heard about “service learning” or “context-based learning” on your campus, but thought…how could chemistry participate? In this episode, a faculty member at a small, rural institution talks about her experience integrating a research-based approach into her General Chemistry Laboratory that served the local community with useful data. The student engagement is worth the effort!