| NSF Org: |
DMS Division Of Mathematical Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 16, 2019 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 29, 2023 |
| Award Number: | 1936635 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Joanna Kania-Bartoszynska
jkaniaba@nsf.gov (703)292-4881 DMS Division Of Mathematical Sciences MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 15, 2019 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $75,144.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $75,144.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1 PROSPECT ST PROVIDENCE RI US 02912-9100 (401)863-2777 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
Box 1929 Providence RI US 02912-9002 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES RES INST |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Cultivating diversity and broadening participation of historically underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences are national goals that are essential components of the innovation engine that drives the nation?s economy. It is a complex problem to solve, and doing so requires a concerted effort. The Mathematical Sciences Institutes Diversity Initiative (MSIDI) is an ongoing collaboration among the NSF-funded mathematical sciences research institutes that aims to address this issue with a series of events targeting members of historically underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences, including women of all ethnicities. There is no ?one size fits all? approach to increasing participation from underrepresented groups. In this specific project, MSIDI partners with a team of mathematicians from underrepresented groups to enhance several conferences and workshops that aim to address this underrepresentation. These special conferences and workshops are complementary to the core activities of the mathematical sciences research institutes and are important for the goal of increasing participation in key activities that are integral to a career in the mathematical sciences, as well as to core programs at the associated research institutes. Under this project, MSIDI will organize the following events. The Modern Mathematics Workshop will be a pre-conference event at SACNAS in Fall 2020 and planning will be led by the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM). The Blackwell-Tapia Conference will be in Durham, NC in Fall 2020 and planning will be led by the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI). The Latinx in the Mathematical Sciences Conference will be in Los Angeles, CA in Spring 2021 and planning will be led by the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM). There will be another Modern Mathematics Workshop at SACNAS in Fall 2021and planning will be led by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI). And Spring Opportunities will be in Princeton, NJ in Spring 2022 and planning will be led by the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). Details about these events can be found at https://mathinstitutes.org/diversity/
Modern Mathematics Workshops focus on contemporary research in mathematics and take place in conjunction with the national meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). These workshops are for mathematicians at all levels and include some special programming for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The Blackwell-Tapia Conference includes a mix of activities designed to inform the next generation of mathematicians about career opportunities in the mathematical sciences and provide a chance for them to network with mathematical scientists who play a leadership role in their communities. During this conference the prestigious Blackwell-Tapia Prize is awarded. This prize recognizes a mathematician who has contributed significantly to research and to addressing the problem of underrepresentation of minorities in the mathematical sciences. The Latinx in the Mathematical Sciences Conference showcases the research contributions and achievements of Latinx mathematicians and includes activities for high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. The Spring Opportunities Workshop allows attendees to explore what it takes to thrive in a variety of mathematical careers. Collectively, the goals of these MSIDI activities are to recognize and showcase the research of mathematicians from underrepresented minority groups; disseminate successful efforts to address underrepresentation; inform students and early career mathematicians about career opportunities in the mathematical sciences; build a community around shared interests related to the problem of underrepresentation; and provide networking and development opportunities for current and future mathematicians at all points in the career trajectory.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Brief Overview of MSIDI
The Mathematical Sciences Institutes Diversity Initiative (MSIDI) is a collaboration among mathematical sciences institutes to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences. FIve activities were held: the 2021 Blackwell-Tapia Conference hosted virtually by MSRI, IMSI, IPAM and IAS. The 2022 Latinx in the Mathematical Sciences Conference hosted by IPAM, the 2022 Modern Math Workshop hosted by MSRI with funding support from ICERM, the 2023 Spring Opportunities Workshops hosted by IAS, and the 2024 Roots of Unity Workshop held at ICERM.
There were significant interruptions and delays due to the pandemic This award supported the 2022 Modern Math Workshop and 2024 Roots of Unity Workshop.
Modern Math Workshop
The annual Modern Math Workshop focuses on contemporary research in mathematics sponsored by the NSF-funded mathematical sciences institutes. It is designed to expand opportunities for undergraduates to learn about careers in the mathematical sciences, and build collaborative research and mentoring networks among undergraduates, graduate students, and recent PhDs. It takes place as a pre-conference event in conjunction with the national meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Because SACNAS hosts scientific programs for faculty as well as special mentoring programs for undergraduates, holding the workshop during this period enables the participation of mathematicians at a variety of career stages.
The 2022 Modern Math Workshop took place October 26-27, 2022 at the SACNAS conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The workshop drew about 150 attendees, most of whom were undergraduate students, graduate students, and early career mathematicians. The 2-day workshop began with two popular undergraduate mini-courses: "Modeling Democracy," by Moon Duchin (Tufts University); and "Mathematics of Data Science: Theory & Practice," by Marios Banuelos (California State University, Fresno) and David Uminksy (University of Chicago). These interactive courses ran for over 3 hours and each familiarized attendees with mathematical approaches to contemporary hot-topics and issues.
Five researchers were invited to present their work during the 2-day workshop: Mathilde Gerbelli-Gauthier (Institute for Advanced Study) presented on "Growth of Cohomology in Towers of Manifolds: Topology meets the Langlands Program;" Leyda Almodóvar Velázquez (Stonehill College) presented on "DNA Self-Assembly: Computational Complexity and Pragmatic Solutions;" Gokce Dayanikli (Columbia University) presented on "Utilizing Power of Mathematics and Game Theory in Policy Making;" Rolando de Santiago (Purdue University) presented on "Quantum Chromatic Numbers and the Lexicographical Product of Quantum Graphs;" and Therese-Marie Basa Landry (University of California, Santa Barbara) presented on "Developments in Noncommutative Fractal Geometry." The research talks were well-attend and received positive feedback in the exit survey.
Finally, the workshop hosted three career development components: A panel discussion entitled "Thriving in Graduate School, Personally and Professionally," led by Federico Ardila (San Francisco State University); a networking reception hosted by the MSIDI Math Institutes; and a presentation by Leona Harris (American Mathematical Society) on "Maximizing Your Professional Engagement to Bolster the Success of Your Mathematics Career and Using Your Voice to Shape the Profession.”
Roots of Unity Workshop
The transition to independent learning and research is a crucial and often jarring point in every graduate student's career. This transition is even more difficult for students from marginalized groups, who often have smaller support systems and may face an actively unsupportive environment at their institution. The goal of this workshop is to support, mentor, and guide students at this crucial stage in their career.
The 2024 Roots of Unity Workshop took place June 10-14, 2024 at ICERM. Mentors guided the student participants through the (often very daunting!) experience of trying to read a paper without being an expert in the area. The participants were be broken into four small working groups, each focused on a recent paper in their area of interest. Each group was assisted throughout the week by mentors, both early career mathematicians (late stage graduate students or postdocs) and faculty members. The topics covered in this workshop were Number Theory, Combinatorics, Commutative Algebra, and Geometry/Topology.
The professional development component of the Roots of Unity Workshop will focus on practical tools for navigating a research career, while building community and increasing access to professionals or near-peers. These will include in-person panels and activities during the workshop and follow-up (virtual) activities throughout the year to continue nurturing the community and connections.
Last Modified: 01/27/2025
Modified by: Ulrica Wilson
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