Physics Colloquium: Building inclusive and sustainable cultures in physics departments: Insights from physics education research studies

Physics Colloquium
Building inclusive and sustainable cultures in physics departments: Insights from physics education research studies

Dr. Chandra Turpen
Associate Research Professor, Physics
University of Maryland, College Park

Event Details:
In this talk, I will share a high-level overview of three recent physics education research studies from my group. I start by sharing the results of a study of graduate student mental health across eight US physics and astronomy programs. This study captures ways that students experience their graduate programs, and suggests how shifts in program structures (e.g. advisor support and/or social support) may relate to the prevalence of mental health symptoms. Next, I will introduce a survey developed to measure physics departments’ approach to systemic change. Results from this survey study suggest that faculty and staff in undergraduate physics programs aspire to function differently (e.g. creating more opportunities to interpret data collaboratively and to partner with students). Lastly, I illustrate how faculty, staff and students can work together to accomplish change within organizations. Across these studies, I aim to convey actionable insights for leaders seeking to build more inclusive and sustainable cultures in their organizations.

Bio:
Dr. Turpen is an Associate Research Professor in the Dept. of Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on studying faculty as learners within professional-development and workplace settings, as well as studying students as learners in undergraduate physics and engineering classrooms. Her research draws from perspectives in anthropology, cultural psychology, and the learning sciences. Through studies of classroom and institutional practice, she focuses on the role of culture and ideology in science learning and educational change.

Intended Audience:
All are Welcome!

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