@WeRepSTEM

Indie news site that believes everyone belongs in science. We talk DEI & show ♥️ to historically excluded ppl. in #STEM 🏳️‍🌈👩🏽‍🚀👨🏾‍🏭👩🏿‍💻👩‍🔬👨🏽‍🏫♿

werepstem.com
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Read Nicole’s story - both as a young girl & as a Black woman in STEM - and learn how you can help end hair discrimination. (#500womensci #crownact #Blackwomen #BlackwomeninSTEMM #BlackInSTEM) bit.ly/3di3QAs
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The study also found that 80% of African American women felt the need to straighten their hair in order to assimilate at work. This hair discrimination also applies to STEM fields, which continue to have lower numbers of women of color. More: bit.ly/3di3QAs
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Black women are often told straight hair is beautiful, & textured, natural, or curly hair is unprofessional. A 2019 study found that Black women suffer the most from hair discrimination in the US, & were 1.5x more likely to be sent home from work. MORE: prn.to/3Dl1jjE
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Read Nicole’s story - both as a young girl and as a Black woman in STEMM - and learn how you can help end hair discrimination. Nicole's piece includes links to additional resources illustrating the connection between hair and identity in BIPOC culture.
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"The best feeling in the world is not caring about what anyone thinks. I wake up and uncoil my twists, spritz some water on them, & tie a colorful wrap on my head to match my outfit. But I didn’t always feel this way."
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"When my children were younger, I wanted a book about Black role models to inspire them. I knew this information was out there, but I couldn’t find anything in an organized format or the form of a children’s book," Joy says. "I focused on inventors as I admire resourcefulness."
On the left: An illustration of Joy James. On the right is the following quote: "I believe that learning never stops, and that being inspired helps you learn!"

ALT On the left: An illustration of Joy James. On the right is the following quote: "I believe that learning never stops, and that being inspired helps you learn!"

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The kids' book is beautifully illustrated and celebrates the achievements of 16 Black innovators, including American engineer Henry Sampson, and Alice Parker, famous for her patented system of central heating using natural gas.
Illustration of Henry Sampson holding a beaker with a space scene (featuring a rocket) in the background.

ALT Illustration of Henry Sampson holding a beaker with a space scene (featuring a rocket) in the background.

Illustration of Alice parker warming her hands over her invention. She is standing in front of a home with snow falling in the background.

ALT Illustration of Alice parker warming her hands over her invention. She is standing in front of a home with snow falling in the background.

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Earlier this year, @JoyJamesAuthor published 101 Black Inventors and their Inventions - a book aimed at kids aged 9-12. That was followed up with Brilliant Black Inventors, a kids' book released ahead of October, which is Black History Month in the UK.
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Photo: The annual banquet after the Nobel ceremony, 1958 at Grand Hôtel Royal, Blue Hall, Sweden. Nobel prizes have always had a diversity problem, one much larger than bias on the part of the Nobel selection committees – it’s systemic. 🧵 📸: bit.ly/3AqieQi
Nobel Banquet at the Golden Hall of the Stockholm City Hall on 10 December 1958. Black and white photo.

ALT Nobel Banquet at the Golden Hall of the Stockholm City Hall on 10 December 1958. Black and white photo.

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Carlos Juan Finlay was a Cuban epidemiologist who, in 1881, theorized mosquitoes are a carrier of yellow fever This was not widely accepted until 20 years later. He was nominated 7 times for t/ Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine but never won. More: bit.ly/3ASfkoH
On the left: A photo of Carlos Juan Finlay. On the right it says: CARLOS JUAN FINLAY (December 3, 1833 - August 20, 1915) Finlay was a Cuban epidemiologist who, in 1881, theorized that mosquitoes are a carrier of yellow fever. When he first presented his findings at Havana’s Academy of Science, he was ridiculed.

ALT On the left: A photo of Carlos Juan Finlay. On the right it says: CARLOS JUAN FINLAY (December 3, 1833 - August 20, 1915) Finlay was a Cuban epidemiologist who, in 1881, theorized that mosquitoes are a carrier of yellow fever. When he first presented his findings at Havana’s Academy of Science, he was ridiculed.

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We’d like to end by thanking our friends at @500womensci for partnering with us on this piece, and a special shoutout to Farah Qaiser (@this_is_farah) & Nicole Williams for putting it all together ♥️
On the right is a photo of Farah. On the left is her bio: Farah is a genomics researcher who uses DNA sequencing to better understand complex neurological disorders, and carries out policy-related research. Outside the lab, Farah has written about science for media outlets, hosted Wikipedia Edit-A-Thons, and co-founded the Toronto Science Policy Network. She serves on the Canada Chief Science Advisor’s Youth Council, and the Executive Leadership Team for 500 Women Scientists.

ALT On the right is a photo of Farah. On the left is her bio: Farah is a genomics researcher who uses DNA sequencing to better understand complex neurological disorders, and carries out policy-related research. Outside the lab, Farah has written about science for media outlets, hosted Wikipedia Edit-A-Thons, and co-founded the Toronto Science Policy Network. She serves on the Canada Chief Science Advisor’s Youth Council, and the Executive Leadership Team for 500 Women Scientists.

On the right is a photo of Nicole. On the left is her bio: Nicole Williams (she/her/hers) is a marine scientist, DEI practitioner, and advocate for policies that improve the well-being/health of self-identifying African American women. She holds a MSc from Hawai’i Pacific University and a BA in biology from Wittenberg University. Nicole is the Director of Outreach at 500 Women Scientists, and manages the Gage database, which is the world’s largest community of women and gender diverse individuals in STEM. She is also the co-founder of the Black Women’s Collective.

ALT On the right is a photo of Nicole. On the left is her bio: Nicole Williams (she/her/hers) is a marine scientist, DEI practitioner, and advocate for policies that improve the well-being/health of self-identifying African American women. She holds a MSc from Hawai’i Pacific University and a BA in biology from Wittenberg University. Nicole is the Director of Outreach at 500 Women Scientists, and manages the Gage database, which is the world’s largest community of women and gender diverse individuals in STEM. She is also the co-founder of the Black Women’s Collective.

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See the full list of recommendations here: bit.ly/3iftOaW
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BOOK #1: Ada Twist, Scientist, By Andrea Beaty If you’ve already zipped through this book and the Netflix adaptation, there’s still more for you to explore. Get the book HERE: amzn.to/2WjVJid
Illustration of Ada twist book cover

ALT Illustration of Ada twist book cover

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Why are books like Ada Twist, Scientist important? We know diverse representation matters, write @500womensci’s @this_is_farah & Nicole Williams. Studies show kids who receive long-term exposure to counter-stereotypical role models are more likely to aspire towards these roles.
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Today, @andreabeaty's children’s book Ada Twist, Scientist is being launched as a @netflix Family animated series. Ada Twist is an 8-year-old Black scientist who is endlessly curious. We're celebrating with a curated reading list for budding young minds 🧵:
A colourful illustration of bottles exploding with different coloured liquids. Ada Twist, wearing goggles, is adding a capsule to one of the bottles, while a group of children behind her cheer

ALT A colourful illustration of bottles exploding with different coloured liquids. Ada Twist, wearing goggles, is adding a capsule to one of the bottles, while a group of children behind her cheer

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Ynéz Mexía was a Mexican-American botanist known for her 150,000+ collection of novel plant specimens from Mexico, Peru, & Colombia, leading to t/ discovery of 500 species. Curators are cataloguing her collection. At least 50 species have been named after her.
On the right: A photo of Mexia. On the right is the following text: YNÉZ MEXÍA (May 24, 1870 - July 12, 1938) Mexia was a Mexican-American botanist known for her 145,000-specimen-strong collection of plants from areas of Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, leading to the discovery of 500 new species.

ALT On the right: A photo of Mexia. On the right is the following text: YNÉZ MEXÍA (May 24, 1870 - July 12, 1938) Mexia was a Mexican-American botanist known for her 145,000-specimen-strong collection of plants from areas of Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, leading to the discovery of 500 new species.

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José Celso Barbosa (July 27, 1857 – September 21, 1921) was a physician, professor, & politician. In 1880, he earned his medical degree with honours at the University of Michigan. He was the institution's first Puerto Rican student. More: bit.ly/3hOn6s6
On the left: Photo of JOSÉ CELSO BARBOSA. On the right is the following text: JOSÉ CELSO BARBOSA (July 27, 1857 – September 21, 1921) Dr. Barbosa was a physician, professor, and politician. In 1880, he earned his medical degree with honours at the University of Michigan. He was the institution's first Puerto Rican student.

ALT On the left: Photo of JOSÉ CELSO BARBOSA. On the right is the following text: JOSÉ CELSO BARBOSA (July 27, 1857 – September 21, 1921) Dr. Barbosa was a physician, professor, and politician. In 1880, he earned his medical degree with honours at the University of Michigan. He was the institution's first Puerto Rican student.

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More here: bit.ly/3cVXBCD
ON THE LEFT: Photo of Students of St. Anne's Indian Residential School in Fort Albany, Ontario, c. 1945 On the right is the following quote: "Structural racism created the conditions that put Indigenous people at higher risk for COVID-19. Inequitable access to culturally safe health care that is free of racism layers on and furthers these disproportionate impacts." - Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba

ALT ON THE LEFT: Photo of Students of St. Anne's Indian Residential School in Fort Albany, Ontario, c. 1945 On the right is the following quote: "Structural racism created the conditions that put Indigenous people at higher risk for COVID-19. Inequitable access to culturally safe health care that is free of racism layers on and furthers these disproportionate impacts." - Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba

In the background: The same image as the previous graphic. In the foreground is the following quote: "Rather than labelling Indigenous people hesitant, health systems should engage in critical self-reflection on what they have done to create mistrust, and what action they need to take to rebuild that trust." - Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba

ALT In the background: The same image as the previous graphic. In the foreground is the following quote: "Rather than labelling Indigenous people hesitant, health systems should engage in critical self-reflection on what they have done to create mistrust, and what action they need to take to rebuild that trust." - Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba

More here: bit.ly/3gCVs00
Text based graphic on Red background. On the side it says 'EDUCATION' Research demonstrates that 18% of 1st-year Black college students want to pursue a STEM degree, around the same as 1st-year white college students. But only 34% of Black students complete their STEM major, compared to 58% of white students. Reasons include lack of preparation in STEM in high school and feelings of exclusion, isolation & discouraging academic experiences. - Edmund Adjapong SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

ALT Text based graphic on Red background. On the side it says 'EDUCATION' Research demonstrates that 18% of 1st-year Black college students want to pursue a STEM degree, around the same as 1st-year white college students. But only 34% of Black students complete their STEM major, compared to 58% of white students. Reasons include lack of preparation in STEM in high school and feelings of exclusion, isolation & discouraging academic experiences. - Edmund Adjapong SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

In short:
This graphic is text based. Here's what it says: SCICOMM CHECKLIST DELIVER: Present the information in the form of a question. Listen attentively to your audience. Address concerns and provide actionable solutions. Cater your message to your audience. ENGAGE: Use infographics. Incorporate metaphors and comparisons. Ask questions EXPLAIN: Avoid jargon when speaking to a broad audience. Ensure you can explain the concept to a 10-year-old. Use words commonly found in the language you are presenting in. Be clear & specific. INSPIRE: Be action-oriented. Tell the audience why they should personally care about the issue/topic. Include information that can help or benefit your audience.

ALT This graphic is text based. Here's what it says: SCICOMM CHECKLIST DELIVER: Present the information in the form of a question. Listen attentively to your audience. Address concerns and provide actionable solutions. Cater your message to your audience. ENGAGE: Use infographics. Incorporate metaphors and comparisons. Ask questions EXPLAIN: Avoid jargon when speaking to a broad audience. Ensure you can explain the concept to a 10-year-old. Use words commonly found in the language you are presenting in. Be clear & specific. INSPIRE: Be action-oriented. Tell the audience why they should personally care about the issue/topic. Include information that can help or benefit your audience.

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