Diversifying the Geosciences Curriculum: The "Hidden Figures" Model at the University of Georgia

Monday 1:30pm
Oral Session Part of Monday Oral Session B

Authors

John Knox, University of Georgia
Marshall Shepherd, University of Georgia
The Atmospheric Sciences program at the University of Georgia has demonstrated success at attracting and retaining a diverse and inclusive student population. For example, our program ranks third-highest in the nation in the percentage of women receiving undergraduate certificates/degrees in the atmospheric sciences (56.8%) from 1997 through 2022 (https://clim-var-change.pres2ip.com/nationwide-atmospheric-science-and-meteorology-degree-analysis/). However, we are always seeking further improvement, at the flagship university in a state whose population is close to 50% non-white. Inspired by the groundbreaking book and Oscar Best Picture nominee "Hidden Figures," we have created and teach a course at the University of Georgia that examines the foundational contributions of African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Native American scientists in our discipline. In addition, the key roles of women, the LGBTQ community, people with physical disabilities, and neurodiverse people in the atmospheric sciences are also highlighted in this course. This course is believed to be the first of its kind and offers a template for addressing diversity and inclusion in the geosciences and beyond. The course employs traditional (lectures, readings, essays) and non-traditional (co-production of knowledge, flipped classrooms, Zoom guest lectures by atmospheric scientists from historically underrepresented groups, video projects) pedagogical approaches. The course satisfies the University of Georgia's college of arts and sciences Multicultural requirement within our undergraduate program of study. In this presentation we describe the origin, execution, and lessons learned from two iterations of this course.