Equity in STEM Journal Club
The Equity in STEM Journal Club is an evidence-driven reading group intended to deepen one’s understanding of equitable teaching practices in STEM learning contexts. This is part of the broader CIRTL at Northwestern
Overview
The Equity in STEM Journal Club is a peer-facilitated, evidence-driven reading group designed to deepen participant understanding of equitable teaching practices in STEM. Addressing a variety of principles related to equity and learning such as race-conscious sense-making of teaching, awareness of racial dynamics in STEM classrooms, and humanizing pedagogies, this group empowers participants to develop an equity-based mindset and a critical approach to effectively addressing inequalities in STEM education.
Eligibility
All STEM and SBE graduate students and postdoctoral trainees are welcome. Participating in the Equity in STEM Journal Club is intended to be one of the first steps in learning about teaching, but it has also been valuable for students who have already completed
Reflective & Effective Teaching and CIRTL Network programming.
Registration
The next Equity in STEM Journal Club will launch fall 2024. The registration includes participant department or program and position (e.g., graduate student or postdoc) and is now open.
Objectives
Participants will
- Enhance knowledge of pedagogical frameworks and practices that enhance equity in STEM classrooms through empirical readings, self-reflection, and peer dialogue
- Examine challenges and opportunities for incorporating equity-centered mindsets and practices into STEM classroom contexts
- Prepare to integrate equitable practices into course design and various STEM learning environments (i.e., lab courses, large courses, field-work courses)
Participant Expectations
The Equity in STEM Journal Club is completed in one quarter over the course of four weeks. Participants are required to engage with a weekly reading, attend four 90-minute synchronous group meetings (listed below), submit a brief weekly reflection, and complete a program evaluation survey.
Planning ahead?
Spring breakdown below
- Meeting 1 will take place the week of April 1st (Inequities in U.S. Educational Systems and STEM)
- Meeting 2 will take place the week of April 8th (Gendered Experiences in STEM Classrooms)
- Meeting 3 will take place the week of April 15th (Racial Equity and Social Justice in STEM Classrooms)
- Meeting 4 will take place the week of April 22nd (Effective Classroom Equity Practices)
Fall breakdown below
- Meeting 1 will take place the week of October 7th
- Meeting 2 will take place the week of October 14th
- Meeting 3 will take place the week of October 21st
- Meeting 4 will take place the week of October 28th
Journal Club Facilitators
The Equity in STEM Journal Club facilitators further their pedagogical development by facilitating peer-based, critical discussions about equity in STEM Education.
Overview
Journal Club Facilitators are successful alumnae of
Mentored Discussions of Teaching or STEM MOOC-Centered Learning Community who will facilitate a reading group for STEM and SBE graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. These journal clubs are intended to deepen participants' understanding of equitable teaching practices in STEM learning contexts.
Journal Club Facilitators also engage in a comprehensive professional development training with other facilitators. The training provides a unique opportunity to learn how to facilitate discussion-based learning communities. This one-day training will occur the quarter before the journal club is implemented to reflect on the historical and contemporary context that informed the development of the Equity in STEM Journal Club, discuss inclusive group facilitation strategies, build relationships, and plan sessions with their co-facilitators.
Application
Applications for fall will open in late spring. Participants will receive notification of acceptance in early summer.
Questions include:
- Reflect on why you value diversity, equity, and inclusion in your professional and personal life. How do you express your commitment to those values?
- How will your previous experiences in the CIRTL at Northwestern programs (e.g., MDT or MCLC) inform your approach to facilitating a reading group about equity in STEM education?
The application is now open! Please apply by Monday, May 20th.
Register by clicking on this link.
Eligibility
Ph.D. students and postdoctoral trainees from a STEM or SBE program at Northwestern may apply, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Previous exemplary completion of Mentored Discussions of Teaching or the STEM MOOC-Centered Learning Community at Northwestern University
- Are fully funded*
- If postdoc: Have received approval from their supervisor/PI
*A one-time honorarium will be provided to selected facilitators. Facilitators will be compensated for their involvement in the spring journal club as well as facilitation in the fall quarters.
Facilitator Expectations
Journal Club Facilitation is a 4-week commitment, with an estimated total time commitment of 36 hours including a one-day professional development training.
Sample timeline for facilitators:
- Participate in the spring journal club and co-create a facilitation guide (spring 2024)
- Attend a one-day professional development training in summer with other Journal Club Facilitators (summer 2024)
- Facilitate four 90-minute journal club meetings in fall comprised of 8-15 STEM and SBE graduate students and postdocs (fall 2024)
- Attend a 30-minute planning/debrief meetings with co-facilitator as needed (approximately 6 hours maximum) (fall 2024)