Physics and Astronomy Colloquium: Edmund Bertschinger, MIT

Abstract: Since bottoming out in 1999, the number of physics bachelor’s degrees awarded annually has increased dramatically for all reported racial and ethnic groups except African Americans. The reasons why were presented in the 2020 TEAM-UP report of the American Institute of Physics, along with recommendations for individuals, departments, universities, and professional societies to eliminate this racial inequity. This talk will summarize key findings and recommendations of the report and place them in the context of the School of Physics and Astronomy, the physics and astronomy professions at large, and the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

For further information on the TEAM-UP Report see https://www.aip.org/diversity-initiatives/team-up-task-force