Diversity

Astronomy, and STEM in general, is faced with a significant problem: the lack of underrepresented minority (URM) women in permanent positions. URM women hold only 2.3% of tenured or tenure track faculty positions in STEM, while their representation in the general US population is 12.5%. URM women make up <1% of faculty in Astronomy.  While there are many issues behind the lack of URM women in STEM, the lack of mentoring and support is often cited as a reason.  URM women are more likely to persist in STEM when involved in diversity organizations that provide vital peer support.

I am the founder and director of the League of Underrepresented Minoritized Astronomers (LUMA).  This international peer mentoring program is for URM women graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and faculty in astronomy, physics, and planetary science.

Visit the LUMA website to learn more about us.