Sociology, Department of
Date of this Version
12-2020
Citation
UNL STEM Outreach White Paper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, December 2020.
Abstract
- A survey-based needs assessment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a research-intensive land grant university, explored ways to meet the goal of increasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach
- 40% of surveyed faculty reported barriers to doing STEM outreach
- Over 50% of faculty reported an inability to individually resolve barriers to STEM outreach in ways that ensure broader community engagement in their research through outreach
- Using a sociological lens, the current study examined institutional-level barriers and enablers to faculty engaging in outreach
- Results suggest several institutional approaches to STEM outreach, including creating infrastructure with experts in science communication; providing science communication expert consultants; teaching courses in science communication; measuring and rewarding outreach (for example, giving “popular” talks, writing letters to the editor, running after school programs).
Included in
Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons, University Extension Commons
Comments
Copyright 2020, the authors. Used by permission.