Physical Society/Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Colloquium

Physics identity as a tool to build equity in physics

Angela Johnson

Educational Studies Department
St. Mary's College of Maryland

Latinas and Black women make up about 2% of all physics majors in the US. Typical experiences include isolation and microaggressions. In contrast, I will describe a physics setting where women of color feel successful and like they belong (typical comment: “physics is what I’ve always been interested in. It doesn’t feel like I’m out of place. It’s the subject I’m interested in.”) I analyzed the setting using an intersectional identity framework which could be of value to others who are studying or pursuing equity in physics settings. The framework reveals how this setting differs from prototypical physics departments and shows actions professors can take to make their departments healthier for women of color. This talk will be useful to those interested in diversifying physics and in how the insights from our intersectional identity framework can be translated into action.

Livestream: https://youtu.be/TGYuEsjWdyo.