The trends, compiled by AIP Statistics, tell the broader story:
- The growth in bachelors degrees in the physical sciences among African Americans between 2005 and 2015 has not kept pace with students overall.
- African Americans in 2020 received only about 4 percent of all physics bachelor’s degrees, roughly the same as in 1994!
- The number of doctorate degrees in physics earned by African Americans has fallen, from 18 people in 2014-15 (including five women) to just nine (including one woman) in 2018-2019.
- Funding for efforts that drive systemic change and prioritize successful outcomes for all students, including a focus on African American students.
- Professional development and training opportunities for faculty and other professionals to better support students.
- A community of practice and engagement opportunities to network and learn from the efforts of others.
Below are two of the ways in which TEAM-UP Together helps to improve educational experiences and outcomes for physics and astronomy undergraduates.
In early fall 2023, we launched TEAM-UP Together Expanding eXpertise and Championing Excellence and Leadership (TUT EXCEL) to provide funding for physics and astronomy departments that successfully educate and support bachelor’s degree earners through systemic change initiatives, including a focus on African American students. Awards help recipients expand their successful strategies and model their successes for other departments.
TEAM-UP Together has partnered with the American Physical Society’s National Mentoring Community to provide mentor training to professionals who wish to mentor TEAM-UP Together Scholars. More information can be found here.