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In the sections that follow, we detail what has emerged from our experiences. We begin by presenting a range of data and data sources that shed light on how the various components of the transformation process fit together into a complex, dynamical whole and where the most pressing issues arose. We then introduce several initiatives and programs that emanated from this process, discussing why some of these initiatives were successful while others were not, as well as how the successful initiatives continue to evolve as our institution and its personnel change and grow.
Background
The National Science Foundation ADVANCE program aims to increase the participation and advancement of female faculty in academic science, mathematics, engineering, and technology-related departments (www.nsf.gov/advance). The largest and most significant ADVANCE funding mechanism is the Institutional Transformation (IT) award, given to institutions of higher education to support the development of innovative organizational change strategies that produce comprehensive change. IT projects are also expected to contribute new research on gender equity in the STEM disciplines.
UC LEAF (Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement of Women Faculty in STEM) is the umbrella organization created as part of the University of Cincinnati’s (UC’s) NSF ADVANCE IT grant (2012–2018). LEAF is committed to building a community of change leaders through partnerships at all levels. Its specific goals are to increase the participation and advancement of women and women of color faculty in STEM fields; transform the climate to promote intellectual fit, progress, and equity; improve pathways for recruitment, hiring, retention and success; and to share responsibility for sustainable, dynamic institutional growth. LEAF engages in a number of activities designed to achieve each of these goals, including collecting internal and external evaluation data, programming for faculty and departmental leaders, advocating for policy change and conducting social science research.
UC LEAF differs from some other ADVANCE programs in both our emphasis on women of color as well as the breadth of what we consider STEM disciplines. In particular, we include the traditional natural, social, mathematical and engineering sciences, as well as Communication Studies, Philosophy, Economics, and Business Analytics and Information Systems, as well as several basic science departments embedded in our College of Medicine. One complicating factor for us is that we have several science PhDs as members of so-called...