Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for 21st Century Challenges

BOARD ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE Committee on Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21stCentury Layne Scherer, Study Director, Committee on Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21stCentury American Mathematical Society Committee on Education October 27, 2017

Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21stCentury 1. The call to action 2. The Committee and the charge 3. Where we ve been 4. Where we re going 2

The call to action there are indications that there is a slowdown in the growth of university positions and that we can expect a fundamental change in science and engineering employment a reduction in the demand for traditional researchers in some fields. This employment situation has already contributed to a frustration of expectations among new PhDs. 3

The call to action Major industrial sectors have also reassessed their needs and reshaped their research, development, and business strategies. And new research and development needs have arisen in emerging production, service, and information enterprises. The increasing rate of change suggests a need for scientists and engineers who can readily adapt to continuing changes. 4

The call to action Reshaping the Graduate Education of Scientists and Engineers National Academies of Sciences, 1995 5

The call to action Where are we now? How have trends in demographics, the conduct of research, and education shifted or persisted since the 1995 report? 6

The call to action Imagine the system What system of graduate education would best support the educational and professional growth of students? 7

The call to action Bridging the gaps What changes need to be made to the current system in order to align with the needs of students, employers, and institutions? 8

Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21stCentury 1. The call to action 2. The Committee and the charge 3. Where we ve been 4. Where we re going 9

Key Information Funders National Science Foundation Institute for Education Sciences Burroughs Wellcome Fund Spencer Foundation Committee Chair Alan Leshner, CEO Emeritus, AAAS 10

The Committee Sherilynn Black Duke University School of Medicine Christine Ortiz MIT Mary Sue Coleman Association of American Universities (AAU) Melanie Roberts Independent Consultant Jaime Curtis-Fisk Dow Chemical Company Henry Sauermann European School of Management and Technology Berlin Kenneth Gibbs, Jr. National Institute of General Medical Sciences Barbara Anna Schaal Washington University in St. Louis Maureen Grasso North Carolina State University Subhash Singhal Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Sally Mason University of Iowa (Emerita) Kate Stoll MIT Washington Mary Maxon Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory James M. Tien University of Miami College of Engineering Suzanne Ortega Council of Graduate Schools Keith Yamamoto University of California, San Francisco 11

The charge What is the state of graduate STEM education? Task 1: Conduct a systems analysis 12

The charge How can we improve career outcomes for students? (and employers too) Task 2: Identify policies, programs and practices that could better meet the career needs of graduate students 13

The charge How does graduate education funding affect students? Task 3: Identify ways in which federal and state funding could better support the needs of students. 14

The charge How can we foster strong mentoring in graduate education? Task 4: Identify policies and practices related to effective mentoring and counseling that provide students and faculty with resources about career pathways. 15

The charge How are graduate education and graduates responding to globalization? Task 5: Identify implications of the increasingly international nature of graduate education, science, and the broader labor market. 16

The charge How is graduate education changing? Task 6: Investigate new models such as digital education programs, alternative providers, and emerging credentials and certifications. 17

The charge How can we make sure this report has national impact? Task 7: Build on the existing national conversation in graduate STEM education and develop a implementation-oriented recommendations. 18

Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century 1. The call to action 2. The Committee and the charge 3. Where we ve been 4. Where we re going 19

What weve been Disclaimer The following comments reflect input the Committee has heard so far from public comment at listening sessions and from presentations. These are not preliminary conclusions or findings. 20

Previous Recommendations on Graduate Education Analysis and presentation by Dr. Yasmeen Hussain to the Committee on Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century on May 22, 2017 National Research Council (National Academies) Council of Graduate Schools American Association of Universities Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation American Chemical Society National Institutes of Health National Science and Technology Council Mellon Foundation 21

Key themes Student Infrastructure & Policies Graduate Student Data Careers & Competencies Degree Experience Buy-In 22

The Mathematical Sciences in 2025 The careers examined deal with business analytics, especially as driven by large-scale data. Most of the people will need very strong mathematical science backgrounds, whether or not they actually receive a graduate degree in mathematics or statistics. And academic mathematical scientists must prepare to educate these additional people, regardless of what degrees they actually pursue. - National Research Council, 2013 23

Discussion Document and Call for Community Input Posted from Aug. 10 to Sept. 27, 2017 75 responses received Professors: 16 Associate Professors: 7 Assistant Professor: 1 Emeritus Professors: 3 Adjunct Professors: 2 Postdoctoral Scholars: 7 Graduate Students: 7 Industry/National Labs: 6 Associate/Assistant Deans of Graduate Studies (or similar): 11 Professional Associations: 15 24

Selected Themes Assign priority to equity and inclusion in graduate education Avoid the idea of STEM as a monolith- acknowledging the variation between disciplines and sub-disciplines Develop a culture that supports student choice and well-being 25

The Mathematical Sciences in 2025 Issues That Affect Recruitment and Retention at the Graduate Level Availability of role models; Need for a sense of belonging and community to avoid possible isolation; Possible harassment, peer interactions, and climate issues; Availability and skill of mentoring; Opportunities for professional development and socialization; 26

The Mathematical Sciences in 2025 Psychological factors that possibly can be boosted by departments approaches to structuring the graduate curriculum, courses, and tests to influence factors such as confidence, self-concept, science identity, and the threats of being stereotyped. Monitoring and possible intervention to assist at the critical transition from the graduate to postdoctoral positions; Assistance in goal-setting and evaluation. -National Research Council, 2013 27

Focus Groups Conducted by: Research Triangle International Dates: Sept. 18 to Oct. 2 South Dakota State University American Indian Science and Engineering Society Annual Meeting (Denver, CO) University of Northern Colorado Texas A&M Corpus Christi Texas A&M Kingsville Florida A&M University 28

Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century 1. The call to action 2. The Committee and the charge 3. Where we ve been 4. Where we re going 29

Where were going Final Open Session Keck Center at 500 5th St NW 9:00 to 10:15am on Tuesday, Nov. 7 Register at NAS.edu/GradEd Report development Review Report release in 2018 30

BOARD ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE Thank you! Please send questions regarding the study to lscherer@nas.edu. Visit NAS.edu/GradEd for more information.