The mission of the Institute of Diversity Sciences is to advance STEM research that tackles complex societal problems, to show how inequality affects health, learning, work, and the environment. We also develop solutions. By drawing attention to research on social problems, we attract diverse groups of students, faculty, and community members and connect them to each other. We are matchmakers. We nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists from diverse groups.
We also operate and support programs that help STEM students thrive from college to careers:
- We host a professional speaker series for students called "Creating Pathways to Social Good in your STEM Career"
- We organize a Leadership Academy for students traditionally under-represented in tech and engineering, which includes a summer online course and a year-long mentorship program.
- We started a Sloan Fellowship program, partnership program between UMass Boston and UMass Amherst, funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
- We support the BRiDGE program, which hosts talks by scientists from diverse backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Speakers present on their research and its broader impacts. The program is designed and run by graduate students in STEM and promotes their career development.
You can read more about our programs in our annual Impact Report or our biannual E-Newsletter. Previous and current IDS E-Newsletters and short videos on our activities can be found here.
Get engaged
Faculty, students, and staff: Attend a multidisciplinary seminar on one or all of our research themes — learning & work, health, and climate change. Listen, learn, and present your work. Start a new collaboration with researchers and practitioners who share your interests. Apply for funding from the institute to tackle a research problem related to equity or diversity.
Students: Work with us to invite underrepresented scientists to campus to share their research, professional experiences, and serve as informal mentors; join our REBLS Network to connect with Massachusetts researchers, business leaders, and other students in your field. Apply for the IDS Leadership Academy.
UMass alums and friends: Be a mentor or an invited speaker, join our external advisory board, or make a gift.
Other ideas? Contact Nilanjana Buju Dasgupta, institute director, or Megan West, associate director.
