OHSU-PSU School of Public Health aims to improve equity, diversity within STEM

Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health are leveraging data science to support students from diverse and underserved backgrounds pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

A new study, published this week in the Journal of STEM Outreach, examines effective approaches for measuring key demographic variables and offers recommendations for inclusive demographic data practices across student-serving programs. This study aligned researchers and STEM practitioners across OHSU, Portland State University and the Portland Metro STEM Partnership.

Recognizing students beginning their STEM training may not have had equal access, accommodations or preparation, the study describes considerations for programs to welcome and retain trainees using demographic data. This work builds on federal efforts to reach underrepresented populations in STEM and biomedical science.

“Demographics enable the study of intersectionality needed to truly move the needle for equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility,” said Lisa K. Marriott, Ph.D., associate professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and principal investigator of OHSU’s NIH-funded Science Education Partnership Award. “It’s so important to make sure students feel welcome and seen in training programs, and on the back end, making sure they are accurately represented within the data.”

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