Physics & Astronomy Statement on Anti-Asian Racism

All, Events

Dear colleagues,

Like so many of you, I have been horrified and angry to hear increasing reports of violence against members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, including the most recent murders in Georgia of eight people, six of whom were Asian American women.

Our department unequivocally condemns anti-Asian racism, and denounces these acts of violence and the ongoing racism and misogyny behind them. We recognize the anxiety and fear that these acts cause in the personal and professional lives of our AAPI colleagues; a situation that has become even clearer to me in recent days in heartbreaking discussions with a number of you.

Such harassment, intimidation, and violence, directed against our AAPI colleagues, deeply affects us all as a collective community. We stand in solidarity with all AAPI faculty, staff, postdocs, and students, and we are committed to ensuring that our department is one where everyone may strive to learn, to contribute to the search for new knowledge, and to make the most of their talents.

I would like to remind you that if you would like to speak to anyone within the department about these issues, you are welcome at any time to contact me, our Graduate Chair (Prof. Josh Klein), our Undergraduate Chair (Prof. Masao Sako), our Diversity Coordinator (Prof. Evelyn Thomson), or any other member of the faculty. We all stand with you, and are ready to help in any way we can.

Mark Trodden

Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy

 

List of resources from particle physics US LHC Users Association [thanks to Bo Jayatilaka and Toyoko Orimoto]

How to Be An Ally: 

History: 

 

Anti-Racism: 

 

IRIS-HEP fellowships for summer 2021 (by April 18th)

All, Opportunities, Undergraduate research

Hi All,

The Institute for Research and Innovation in Software for High Energy
Physics (IRIS-HEP) is now accepting proposals for IRIS-HEP student Fellows
for Summer 2021.

** Please circulate this email to students that may be interested **
**    in this opportunity for Summer 2021 research activities.    **

People are the key to successful software. IRIS-HEP aims to promote
the development of advanced research software skills by providing
opportunities for undergraduate and some graduate students to connect
with mentors within the larger High Energy Physics (HEP) and
Computational/Data Science community. At the same time, we aim to
promote software as a collaborative activity and encourage
collaborations which engage individuals in ways that maximize their
potential and their potential impact on the community. To accomplish
these goals, IRIS-HEP has created a Fellows program. IRIS-HEP Fellows
will spend some number of months working closely with a mentor on an
R&D topic relevant to the Institute.

Who should apply to the Fellows program? – Are you reasonably
comfortable with basic programming through skills acquired (for
example) from coursework or dedicated training activities? Are you
interested in building on those skills to gain experience through
contributions to cutting edge open source research software projects?
Then the IRIS-HEP Fellows program could be for you. Prior physics
knowledge is helpful, but not required. Applications from women and
members of underrepresented groups in STEM activities are particularly
encouraged.

For Summer 2021 we are happy to accept proposals for IRIS-HEP Fellows
from undergraduate students and graduate students that do not have
a research assistantship (e.g. Masters students). Due to COVID-19
restrictions, no travel or subsistence payments can currently be
paid to support co-location of either Fellows with mentors. Fellows
will in general work remotely at a distance with their mentors,
unless they happen to be at the same institution. Applicant students
should be associated with a US university.

Duration of fellowship and total stipend: An IRIS-HEP fellowship
will pay up to 3 FTE-months (full time equivalent) at $2000/month
during Summer 2021. We have some flexibility to accommodate different
summer schedules and lengths.

Full information on the program can be found here:

https://iris-hep.org/fellows.html

You will find examples of former Fellows and their projects, current
project ideas for Summer 2021 (including how you can propose your
own ideas) and information on how to apply.  Questions about any
aspect of the program (including possible projects, help finding
mentors, etc.) should be sent to fellows@iris-hep.org.

Applications from women and members of underrepresented groups in
STEM activities are particular encouraged to apply.

IRIS-HEP Fellow positions will be awarded in a rolling fashion based
on submitted project proposals. All proposals submitted by Sunday,
18 April, 2021, will receive full consideration.

best regards,
Peter

Annual lecture on Diversity in STEM fields March 31st

All, Events, Uncategorized

 

Diversity and Inclusion in Physics (DIP) invites you to our annual lecture on diversity in STEM fields, which is open to all members of the Penn community. The lecture will take place at 3:30 pm, Wednesday March 31st on Zoom.

Our speaker this year is Dr. Gina Quan from the department of Physics and Astronomy at San José State University (https://ginaquan.com/). Dr Quan’s research works towards improving equity and justice within undergraduate STEM education by improving understanding of culture, community and identity.

Talk title and abstract (flyer attached):

Cultivating Equity-Focused Institutional Change in University STEM Departments

Discipline-based education research has made great strides in understanding how to foster more equitable and effective teaching in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, there still has yet to be widespread adoption of reforms in university STEM departments. Our project seeks to understand how departments can implement sustainable, large-scale changes to undergraduate education. While these changes take many forms, they are grounded in six core principles, including upholding a commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice. We facilitate Departmental Action Teams (DATs), teams of faculty, students, and staff within a single STEM department working on some issue related to undergraduate education. During this talk, I will present an overview of the DAT model and the principles which guide our work. I will then present some empirical research discussing how to meaningfully develop student-staff-faculty partnerships while implementing departmental changes. Finally, I will discuss the multifaceted nature of complex equity-focused changes. 

At 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 1, there will be an opportunity for grad students and post docs to join a discussion with Dr Quan. The discussion will use the same zoom link as the lecture.

Please contact us, penn.dip@gmail.com with any questions.

Best,

DIP Leaders

 

Summer 2021 DIANA Undergraduate Fellowship Opportunities

All, Opportunities, Uncategorized, Undergraduate research

For the summer of 2021, several projects have been proposed and we invite applications from undergraduate students at U.S. universities. Each of these projects has been designed for a three month period, starting in May or June according to the student’s academic calendar. Participation will be remote. The stipend level will be $2000/month. Several of these projects are particularly well-suited to Computer Science or Computer Engineering students. Others are particularly well-suited to Physics students. All students with appropriate experience (as described in the individual project descriptions) are encouraged to apply, regardless of nominal major. Veterans, women, and members of other traditionally under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

The due dates are March 21 and March 28, see here for more details

http://diana-hep.org/pages/fellows.html

 

Faculty panel for Black students in STEM at Penn (Jan 29)

All, Events

Please join us for a faculty panel for Black students in STEM at Penn on Friday, January 29th from 4 to 5pm. This panel, hosted by the Makuu Center and the SEAS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is intended for all Penn STEM faculty and Penn Black students, both undergraduate and graduate students, who are either in STEM majors or interested in STEM majors. A student committee has developed thoughtful questions for the faculty panelists, which will shed light on students’ concerns surrounding success in STEM majors. Thank you!

Faculty panel for Black students in STEM at Penn (link)

This event will be of interest to STEM faculty and Black students who are either STEM majors or interested in STEM majors. The university community is welcome.

Find out how you can get more involved with STEM faculty and students.

Learn more about STEM majors at Penn.

Hosted by the Makuu Center and the SEAS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Friday, January 29 from 4 to 5 pm

For more information, contact Dr. Rita Powell, rpowell_AT_cis.upenn.edu

Panelists

  • Professor CJ Taylor, Computer and Information Science Department, Raymond S. Markowitz President’s Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean, SEAS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Dr. Brian Peterson, Director, Makuu Black Cultural Center Professor Eric Fouh, Computer and Information Science Department
  • Professor Jennifer Lukes, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department
  • Professor Nakia Rimmer, Mathematics Department
  • Dr. Laura Stubbs, Director, SEAS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Fellowship (graduate)

All, Graduate research, Opportunities

This is a call for applications for the 2021-22 Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund fellowship, which pays full tuition plus a stipend of $18,000 for up to three years.  U.S. citizens pursuing a graduate degree in 2021-22 in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training) are eligible. The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.

Penn is only permitted to forward three nominees.  An internal selection process will be coordinated by the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships.  For the purposes of the internal competition, students should complete the application and submit the requested supporting documentation by November 29, 2020.

This internal Penn application requires 1 letter of recommendation from a professor (not a postdoc or lecturer) who has taught or worked closely with you. You will request this through the application process, but please alert your preferred recommender as soon as possible so as to give your recommender ample time to submit letters of recommendation before the November 29 Penn Deadline. Penn will require additional letters, including an optional letter from the Dean of your Graduate School or your Department Chair, if you are nominated.

Please prepare the following:

  1. A completed version of this document. For now you may omit the financial aid information and tax returns.
  2. Most current CV
  3. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  4. Copy of graduate exam scores, or a statement explaining why these were not needed.
  5. A Statement of Purpose up to three pages long (double spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate level study and your intended personal and/or professional goals. Your Statement of Purpose must include a 10-15 line abstract at the top (included in the three pages) that explains, in LAYMAN’S  terms, the essence of your proposed topic of study or dissertation, the methodology of its treatment and its anticipated impact on your field of study.

Once that is prepared, visit the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Internal Application to request your letter of recommendation and submit your application.

Please note that official transcripts, official copies of test scores, FAFSA, School Financial Aid Summary and tax returns, and additional letters of recommendation will only be required if you are chosen as one of the three institutional nominees.

DoE scholars Program

All, Graduate research, Opportunities, Undergraduate research

The DOE Scholars Program introduces students and recent college graduates to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) mission and operations.

Being selected as a DOE Scholar offers the following benefits:

  • Stipends starting at $600 per week for undergraduates and $650 per week for graduate students and post graduates during the internship period
  • Limited travel reimbursement to/from assigned location
  • Direct exposure to and participation in projects and activities in DOE mission-relevant research areas
  • Identification of career goals and opportunities
  • Development of professional networks with leading scientists and subject matter experts

Eligibility

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be an undergraduate, graduate student, or recent graduate of an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Must be pursuing a degree or have received a degree within 5 years of their starting date in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline or field that supports the DOE mission.

How to Apply

Applications and supporting materials must be submitted at

https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/DOE-Scholars-2021

Deadline

January 4, 2021 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

For more information

Visit https://orise.orau.gov/doescholars

Download program flyer:  https://orise.orau.gov/doescholars/files/doe-scholars-flier.pdf

Questions? doescholars@orise.orau.gov