October 2024

On October 28–29, AERA staff participated in the Societies Consortium to End Harassment in STEMM’s Annual Convening in Washington, D.C. The Consortium is a membership organization that aims to create an inclusive and equitable future in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). This year marks the sixth anniversary of the Consortium, and its annual convening included speakers, workshops, and discussions around the theme “Championing a Future Vision for Safety, Equity, and Excellence in the STEMM Ecosystem.”

Participants heard from leaders and representatives from philanthropy, federal agencies, and member organizations about their efforts to support safe and equitable environments, particularly with regard to gender and racial equity, and to foster excellence across all STEMM disciplines and fields.

Representatives from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health discussed agency initiatives to shape policies and develop programs aimed at reducing barriers in STEMM fields and enhancing educational opportunities. They focused on ways that federal agencies are empowering change and encouraging collaborations with scientific societies to promote a more inclusive STEMM future.

Speakers from law and policy organizations discussed the ongoing importance of organizations’ remaining committed to gender and racial equity in STEMM, in light of challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at universities, including the Supreme Court’s ruling banning race-based college admissions. Others discussed potential impacts on the STEMM ecosystem in the aftermath of upcoming presidential and congressional elections, outlining potential political party agendas and priorities at the federal and state levels. The presentations and discussions focused on equity and inclusion-based strategies and practices that align with the changing legal and political environments.

“We are pleased that AERA can join with other research societies and organizations to work to end harassment and elevate inclusive, equitable, and diverse STEMM environments,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine, co-chair of the Consortium’s Executive Committee.

In addition to Levine, George Wimberly, AERA director of professional development and diversity officer; Christy Talbot, AERA assistant director of government relations; and Carolyn Herrington (Florida State University), chair of the AERA Annual Meeting Policies and Procedures Committee, attended and participated in this year’s convening.

AERA is a founding member of the Consortium and is among the over 124 scientific society members with a shared commitment to enhancing inclusivity, excellence, and equity across the STEMM ecosystem by eliminating systems that create and support harassment. In 2025, AERA will pilot the Consortium-developed Ethical Transparency Tool to facilitate sharing of findings across organizations of an individual’s harassment and misconduct.