Ualbany gets grant to boost gender equity in STEM research
The University at Albany has received a $1 million, three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to create an academic climate where female faculty in the fields of science, technology engineering and math can develop their careers to the fullest potential.
The SAGES (Striving to Achieve Gender Equity in STEM) project, is funded through August 2024 and will be housed in the office of the provost.
The initiative aims to increase the number of women and women of color in STEM fields through recruitment and unbiased hiring procedures, changing the campus culture and climate, and retaining women faculty by supporting their advancement.
“Diversifying our faculty — particularly in the STEM fields — is a key component of Ualbany’s core priority of diversity and inclusion,” said President Havidán Rodríguez, who is the principal investigator on the grant. “This award will help accelerate our progress toward creating a faculty that more closely mirrors our highly diverse undergraduate student population.”
Female faculty and women of color are underrepresented at Ualbany in STEM — the fields of science, technology, engineering and math — and in their academic departments, ranging from 12 to 38 percent, according to university officials.
Rodríguez says the university can address this situation by increasing the number of women in applicant pools and improving campus support to retain women faculty through the tenure process.
Monetary support for the project comes through the NSF program ADVANCE: Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic Professions, whose stated goal is a more diverse and capable science and engineering workforce.
“We will create an external advisory board of highly respected individuals with significant experience in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts who have committed to help guide Project SAGES and ensure lasting institutional change,” said Distinguished Professor of Biology Marlene Belfort, a co-principal investigator.
A Times Union report recently highlighted the lack of diversity among tenured faculty at higher education institutions in New York, particularly at large research institutions like Ualbany.
The initiative includes a post-doc visitation program to bring young trainees from diverse backgrounds into faculty positions, boost training to help improve the campus climate, flexibility to provide female faculty needed time off by hiring substitute instructors, and stipends for providing scientific advice and mentoring.
Ualbany officials will share results of Project SAGES to a broad group of stakeholders in higher education.
The program will be adjusted as needed during the award period. Successes and challenges will be reported through the Project SAGES website, media distribution, in conference presentations, and in workshops. Results will also be shared with the state Legislature and SUNY leadership.