October 2018

On October 8, AERA joined 17 scientific organizations and higher education groups on a letter urging the National Science Foundation (NSF) to include measures related to sexual orientation and gender identity on the 2019 Survey of Doctorate Recipients. Similar to the letter sent to NSF on data collection for the National Survey of College Graduates, this letter highlights the importance and feasibility of including questions that would enhance data currently collected and reported in Science and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering.

The letter also references the recommendations for enhancing surveys with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation measures included in the AERA publication LGBTQ Issues in Education: Advancing a Research Agenda.  On October 29, the Federal Register published a proposed collection from NSF for the next series of the Survey of Earned Doctorates. Public comments are due on December 28.