September 2020 AERA joined 80 organizations in a letter sent to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on September 1, thanking her for calling on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a study on systemic racism in academia. Rep. Johnson requested the study in a July 29 letter to NASEM President Marcia McNutt. The letter highlighted the need to examine systemic inequities that hinder participation by underserved and marginalized groups in STEM fields. Such a study would include six areas:
The letter to Johnson from the scientific community expresses the potential of a NASEM study to provide evidence-based practices to address systemic racism in academia. In addition, the signatory groups expressed willingness to work with Rep. Johnson on these issues. “AERA strongly supports Chairwoman Johnson’s efforts to launch a study by the National Academies to tackle the pervasiveness of systemic racism in STEM,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “We hope that this study can bring to light ways to ensure that racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in STEM fields can be mentored and supported throughout their education to succeed in STEM education and careers.”