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Background
The mission of the Materials Sciences Division (MSD) is to discover, create, characterize, and develop new materials and materials phenomena.
Division leadership recognizes that without the contributions of a diverse workforce and the existence of an inclusive work environment, we will not succeed in achieving our mission.
Thus, the Division has developed the following action plan to implement and expand on Laboratory-wide diversity initiatives.
Accomplishments in 2004
Nano*High
- MSD has developed an outreach program on nanoscience for science’s next generation. We have completed two years and will continue with the third year in the fall of 2005.
- Nano*High is a series of free Saturday morning lectures for high-school students of all interests, and teachers of all subjects.
- Small groups of interested students stay for lunch and conversation with MSD investigators and their graduate students. We include equal numbers of girls and boys.
- Average attendance was 150 for each lecture.
- We were successful in attracting both girls and boys
to the program. We worked with the Center for Science and
Engineering Education (CSEE) for outreach to Oakland schools
and underrepresented student groups.
Recruiting
- MSD recruited over 15 minority and female students within MSD research groups.
- Converted a female term scientist to a career staff scientist.
- 12 scientific positions in the Molecular Foundry have been posted in Science as well as on a variety of minority Web sites. We are currently interviewing a number of women and minorities for these positions.
Outreach
- Mentored 4 students (2 females, 1 Hispanic American, 1 American Indian) in UC’s new Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program.
- An MSD scientist became a member of the Board of Directors
for the Exploratorium, in San Francisco; participated
in the Women in Science (WINS) NPR Day at California Academy
of Sciences; and gave a “Discovery Lecture” at
the University of California at Santa Cruz for COSMOS (the
UC-led high-school summer science program), which has a
high proportion of minorities and women students.
- An MSD scientist hosted a group of fifth-grade girls as part of the Oakland Techbridge program, gave a talk at the 2005 American Physical Society Meeting on the Status of African American Scientists at the DOE-Funded National Laboratories, met with the Secretary of Energy on diversity issues, and judged at the Museum of African and African American Technology (MAAT) Science Fair in April 2005.
- MSD represented LBNL at the DOE STARS What’s Next
Expo, Chicago, 2004 (“Scientists Teaching and Reaching
Students” expo for seventh-and eighth-grade students
in Chicago).
- An MSD scientist hosted underrepresented minority graduate student visitors from the Jackson State University, LSAMP Bridge Program, in November 2004, and advised students on choosing research topics.
- In a series of informational spots recorded for the Hispanic Radio Network, an MSD scientist encouraged young Spanish-speaking listeners to pursue a career in the sciences; the series, produced in conjunction with the Department of Energy, is called “Camino al Futuro” (“Road to the future”).
- In the summer of 2005, MSD hosted three high-school students to do research in x-ray optics, and organic synthesis and polymer chemistry applied to nanoscience; MSD also hosted undergrad minority/female students. An MSD scientist applied for and received NSF funding to promote the participation of women and minorities at the 2004 Gordon Conference on Correlated Electron Systems.
Action Items for 2005
Recruiting Program
- Hiring supervisors will work with the Human Resources
Department and Workforce Diversity Office to advertise
broadly to obtain diverse applicant pools for staff positions,
particularly in the underrepresented groups.
- Division staff will contact institutions and organizations that serve minorities and women, such as the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society for Black Physicists, to publicize openings and seek applicants.
- MSD is committed to fulfilling the Laboratory-wide vision for a diverse workforce, as outlined by the Director’s Office in conjunction with the Best Practices Diversity Council.
Outreach Program
- MSD will continue to create summer internships for students through the High School Student Participation Program. Students are associated with an MSD scientific staff member in a ten-week program that provides research experience.
- MSD will host events for all staff to gather, socialize, and build a sense of community within the Division.
- The Division Director will continue to communicate the importance and value of these efforts.
Working in MSD
- MSD embraces and will cultivate a work environment that is respectful and supportive of all stakeholders in our Division, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability.
- MSD will host events for all staff to meet and socialize,
and build a sense of community and mutual respect within
the Division.
- The Division Director will continue to communicate the importance and value of these efforts and the Division's commitment to the Principles of Community.
- The Division Director will encourage all stakeholders in our Division to participate in the upcoming LBNL Climate Survey.
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