​Nilanjana Dasgupta PhD, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, has been selected to present in the 2016-2017 Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series.  Her talk is titled STEMing the Tide: How Female Professors and Peers Can Encourage Young Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The choice to pursue a given professional path may feel free but is often constrained by subtle social cues about who does and doesn’t “belong there.” This lecture will show how such constraints can be lifted to allow students real freedom to pursue any academic and professional path, especially ones where their group is underrepresented. It will review highlights from a decade of research identifying people and environments in high-achieving academic settings that act as “social vaccines” to inoculate young women’s self-confidence, motivation, and persistence, protecting them against negative stereotypes.

The presentation will conclude by showcasing evidence-based remedies that may be leveraged to recruit and retain more women in STEM courses, majors, and careers, thereby increasing and diversifying the STEM workforce for the 21st century.

Dr. Dasgupta will be presented with the Chancellor's Medal at the conclusion of her talk.

The lecture begins at 4:00pm in the Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell Building. 

It is free, open to the public and a reception follows.