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Dr. Healani Chang with her students from the ‘Ilima SACNAS Chapter at the University of Hawai‘i.

Dr. Frankie Zhu observing and taking notes during microgravity experiment, as seen in NASA press release.

Dr. Frankie Zhu observing and taking notes during microgravity experiment, as seen in NASA press release.

Dr. Helen Janiszewski and colleagues conduct field work on Hawai‘i island.

Dr. Helen Janiszewski and colleagues conduct field work on Hawai‘i island.

Oceaonpraphy MS Candidate Caroline Jackson prepares the conductivity, temperature, and depth rosette for deployment on a Hawai‘i Ocean Time series research cruise.

Oceanography MS Candidate Caroline Jackson prepares the conductivity, temperature, and depth rosette for deployment on a Hawai‘i Ocean Time series research cruise.

Dr. Barb Bruno with students on SE O‘ahu geology fieldtrip.

Dr. Barb Bruno with students on SE O‘ahu geology fieldtrip.

Volcanologist Dr. Julia Hammer measuring the temperature of cinder erupted in 2018 about two weeks after the Kīlauea eruption ended.

Volcanologist Dr. Julia Hammer measuring the temperature of cinder erupted in 2018 about two weeks after the Kīlauea eruption ended.

Hailey Pantaleo collects water quality samples during field work in American Sāmoa in August, 2022.

Hailey Pantaleo collects water quality samples during field work in American Sāmoa in August, 2022.

ADVANCE Catalyst: Advancing kaulike (equity) focusing on STEM intersectional experiences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

As the flagship campus of a 10-campus system, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa seeks to better understand the experiences of nā wāhine (women) who identify as academic professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), in particular women from Native Hawaiian, Filipino and other underrepresented groups. In Fall 2020, UHM’s women were more than 50% of the student population, but less than 34% of the STEM faculty population. These numbers are further reduced for women STEM professionals with intersecting underrepresented identities.

With the aim of increasing the number of underrepresented, wāhine faculty in the STEM fields, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is beginning a new ADVANCE Catalyst project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF’s ADVANCE Catalyst track is designed to undertake data collection and institutional self-assessment work to identify systemic gender inequities impacting their STEM faculty so that these can be addressed by the institution.

As a result of this work, we will provide UHM with strategic plans for increasing the number of underrepresented, wāhine faculty in the STEM fields through modified recruitment, retention, and promotion practices, such as revamping the UHM Tenure and Promotion process, mentoring, and creating pathways to hiring UHM graduates into faculty positions.  We take a feminist, intersectional approach to examine women’s experiences in STEM professions, while centering islandness and indigeneity. We use “women” to be inclusive of all who identify as women.

Planned Activities

  1. Conduct an institutional self-assessment to investigate supports and barriers to advancements of women faculty in STEM;
  2. Pilot activities to develop an organizational change strategy that brings equity for women into UHM’s tenure and promotion processes;
  3. Develop a five-year STEM faculty equity plan in partnership with the Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office and other diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders at UHM.

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation ADVANCE Program Award Number: 2200748.

NEWS AND UPDATES!

The UHM ADVANCE Catalyst team will be presenting a professional development session at the 2023 National Diversity in STEM SACNAS Conference  in Portland, OR October 26-28 entitled “Advancing Kaulike: Reflecting on Equity Considerations for the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa”.  We are honored to have been chosen to share our findings at the world’s largest diversity in STEM conference!

Information sessions to share UHM ADVANCE Catalyst findings are currently being scheduled for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024!  Please check back soon to register for the following dates and topics:

  • Thursday, 11/9/2023, 10:30-11:45am (in person or on Zoom): “Key learnings from the UHM ADVANCE Catalyst Survey Data” Please register!
  • Wednesday 12/6/2023, 9:00-10:30am (in person or on Zoom): “In their own words – Themes from UHM ADVANCE Catalyst Focus Group interviews.”  Please register!
  • Thursday, 3/14/2024, Time TBD (in person or on Zoom): “Supporting UHM Women in STEM through Changes to Promotion and Tenure”
  • Wednesday, 5/8/2024, Time TBD (in person or on Zoom): “UHM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Showcase of Women in STEM”

ADVANCE Kaulike Team

Michael Bruno

Michael Bruno, Provost & Principal Investigator

Healani Chang

Healani Chang, Co-Principal Investigator

Associate Specialist, Pacific Biosciences Research Center

Truc Nguyễn

Truc Nguyen, Co-Principal Investigator

Specialist, Curriculum Research & Development Group

Jennifer Griswold

Jennifer Griswold, Co-Principal Investigator

Associate Professor, Atmospheric Sciences

Frank Zhu

Frankie Zhu, Co-Principal Investigator

Assistant Researcher, HIGP

Lani Teves

Stephanie Nohelani Teves, Lead Researcher

Associate Professor, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Tom Shea, Lead Researcher

Assistant Researcher, Earth Sciences

Jenny Engels, Project Manager

Research Affiliate, HIGP

Photo of Rita Ryan and Henrik Weiberg

Rita Ryan & Henrik Weiberg

Graduate Research Assistants, Social Sciences

Resources

  • UH Hilo and Community Colleges ADVANCE program: Building Relationships to Increase Diversity and Gender Equity (BRIDGE).
  • Curated ADVANCE resource library, online community, meetings, and virtual programs:  ARC Network.
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