AIP FYI #112: Increasing Diversity in the Science, Engineering and Technology Workforce

“Is the United States developing the human capital to remain the world’s
most productive economy while at the same time meeting a formidable new
national security threat?” This question is posed in a new report, “The
Quiet Crisis: Falling Short in Producing American Scientific and Technical
Talent.” The report indicates that the U.S. is not doing what is needed to
develop the necessary S&T workforce for the future, and calls for greater
efforts to increase the representation of women and minorities in the fields
of science, engineering and technology.

The report was issued by BEST, an organization seeking to foster “a
stronger, more diverse U.S. workforce in science, engineering and technology
by increasing the participation of under-represented groups.” BEST, which
stands for Building Engineering and Science Talent, is a three-year
partnership of government, industry, and academic leaders (for more
information see http://www.bestworkforce.org). As a follow-on to
recommendations of the Congressional Commission on the Advancement of Women
and Minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology Development (see
http://www.aip.org/enews/fyi/2000/fyi00.087.htm), its purpose is to
determine what has been proven effective in encouraging “women,
African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and persons with
disabilities to choose and stay with science and math educational paths.”
The findings of this interim progress report, issued one year into BEST’s
lifespan, were made public at a congressional briefing on September 26.

This building crisis, the report warns, “stems from the gap between the
nation’s growing need for scientists, engineers, and other technically
skilled workers, and its production of them.” The report cites data from
the Labor Department and the National Science Board regarding the expected
creation of new S&T jobs, the decline in undergraduate and graduate degree
production in engineering and the physical sciences since the early 1990s,
the low percentage of women and minorities in science, engineering and
technology compared to their representation in the entire U.S. population,
the reliance on foreign workers, and the anticipated retirement of many in
the S&T workforce.

Closing this projected gap, the report says, “will require a national
commitment to develop more of the talent of all our citizens, especially the
under-represented majority – the women, minorities, and persons with
disabilities who comprise a disproportionately small part” of the S&T
workforce. Initial recommendations include tools to help communities
develop workforce diversity, a coherent national strategy and increased
federal, state and local resources for expanding “educational opportunities
in mathematics and science for under-represented groups.” Research
universities are urged to become more involved in elementary and secondary
science and math education, make greater efforts to slow the attrition rate
of women and minorities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and
provide more and better faculty role models. Companies are also encouraged
to strengthen their presence in pre-K through 12th grade education, use
diversity as a criterion in partnering with universities, and “create a
culture of inclusiveness in the workplace.” The report calls on
professional societies, foundations, and other non-profit groups to work
together, “project a more positive public image of science, engineering, and
technology,” and “mobilize at the grass roots” level to encourage
diversity.

Audrey T. Leath

Media and Government Relations Division

The American Institute of Physics

fyi@aip.org

(301) 209-3094

Please visit the AIP Science Policy site at http://www.aip.org/gov for
previous issues of FYI, other science policy information, and subscriber
options.