UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Department of Physics has earned a Physics and Astronomy SEA Change (P/A SEA Change) Bronze Award for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive physics department.
The SEA Change Awards program aims to advance institutional transformation that supports success for all in STEMM — science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine — fields. SEA Change Awards recognize institutions and their academic units for interrogating the policies, processes, culture, programs and practices that promote or impede success for all.
“This award is the result of a genuine collective effort of members across every level of our department: undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff have come together to identify where we fall short, listen to what our community actually needs, and develop a concrete plan for structural change,” said Carmen Carmona, associate professor of physics and chair of the department’s Climate, Inclusion and Diversity Committee. “We are just getting started. In the years ahead, we are committed to fostering community, mutual respect and an inclusive climate. Our goal is to build a department where inclusion and equity aren't just values we talk about, but ones we practice every day, and where everyone truly belongs.”
P/A SEA Change is the disciplinary equivalent of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) SEA Change, led by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) with 10 additional collaborating physics and astronomy professional societies. During the process, the participating department first undergoes a comprehensive self-assessment, critically examining its demographics, policies, procedures, culture, and climate. Next, the department creates a five-year action plan with measurable outcomes to address some of the structural and systemic challenges identified. The Bronze Award is designated for a period of five years, during which P/A SEA Change will provide check-ins and guidance on the action plan as it is implemented.
“Penn State Physics has demonstrated thoughtful reflection on their realities, using this reflection to craft an action plan that will improve the conditions for undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty,” said Alexis Knaub, director of P/A SEA Change. “These improvements are across their ecosystem and are anticipated to better support Pennsylvanians. We warmly congratulate this department for earning their Bronze recognition.”
This marks the first time the award has been awarded to a Department of Physics in the Big Ten Academic Alliance and is the largest department of physics to receive the award.
The AAAS SEA Change programs originated through efforts by Penn State alumna Shirley Malcolm, senior adviser and director of SEA Change. Malcolm is a leader in efforts to improve accessibility of education and careers in science and engineering for girls and women. In 2022, the University named a building at Innovation Park in Malcom’s honor.
P/A SEA Change is a collaboration of professional physics and astronomy societies: American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), American Astronomical Society (AAS), American Institute of Physics (AIP), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), American Physical Society (APS), AVS (Science and Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing), National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP), the Physics and Astronomy Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research, Optica, and the Society of Physics Students (SPS).