Media Releases and Opportunities

If you are Indigenous, a person of color, have a disability or are from a low-income background, you are likely underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM.

For those undergraduate students in STEM, many face significant challenges when it comes to confronting harmful stereotypes, uncertain educational environments, discrimination and complexities related to socioeconomic status.

To address those obstacles, a group of students at Dalhousie University drew on their own experiences to develop 10 simple rules for succeeding as an underrepresented STEM student, starting by encouraging students to embrace their own distinct identities and scientific voices.

The guideline also explains how students can overcome challenges unique to underrepresented students throughout their undergraduate degrees, and addresses the so-called "hidden curriculum" of STEM that can limit their ability to advance their scholarly endeavours and careers.

Melanie Massey and Suchinta Arif, both PhD candidates in Dal's Department of Biology, co-wrote the guide and also lead Diversity of Nature, a STEM outreach group for racialized youth. They are available to discuss how the guide can help underrepresented students succeed, remain in their fields of study and increase the diversity of those working in STEM.

                                                                                        -30-

Media contact:

Alison Auld
Senior Research Reporter
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca