SJSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy Wins SEA Change Bronze Award

Earlier this month, San José State's Department of Physics and Astronomy won a SEA Change Bronze Award for their work in creating a more inclusive and diverse physics department.

Awarded by the SEA Change Committee, which is led by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the SEA Change awards annually recognize higher education institutions and academic departments that are striving to bring inclusivity and excellence to the STEMM-related areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has an Anti-Racism Committee, which has devoted the past several years to critically examining the department's policies, practices and culture to identify barriers and issues impacting underrepresented students and employees.

"This work involved combining through policy documents; interviewing faculty, staff, the chair and the dean; surveying students; and examining language in past job postings, among other research. All of this led to the creation of a 67-page report, including a 34-point action plan that aims to improve the department climate," says Peter Beyersdorf, who serves as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Committee Co-Chairs Gina Quan, who is an associate professor, and Curtis T. Asplund, who is an assistant professor, worked to spearhead the extensive effort.

"I'm proud to be part of the team of faculty who earned this recognition of our years of ongoing work to critically examine and improve our department's policies, practices and culture. We particularly benefit from the extraordinary expertise of some of our team members in physics education research and in facilitating departmental change," says Asplund. "I believe this work is strongly aligned with our university's values statement, where we declare our commitment to embody the movement for social and racial justice."

As part of their action plan, the team is going to move forward in creating departmental resources, improving recruitment strategies and providing training for mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.

In a recent release, AAPT stated that the "SEA Change process is a non-trivial undertaking during which the participating department first undergoes a comprehensive self-assessment, critically examining its demographics, policies, procedures, culture and climate."

The Bronze Award won by SJSU's Physics and Astronomy Department is designated for a period of five years.

"This experience has helped us to identify ways to promote a more equitable, accessible and inclusive community," says Quan. "I'm thrilled to see our department recognized for our ongoing work, and I am grateful for the support of the AAAS Physics & Astronomy SEA Change Program throughout this process."