Programs

Mathematics Research Communities Travel Grants AMS Fellowships Supporting Educational Initiatives Book and Journal Donation Program Programs for Students Increasing Diversity Other Sources of Funding

Increasing Diversity in the Mathematics Profession

The AMS strongly supports equal opportunity in employment. Despite increasing participation at many levels, retention and promotion of women and underrepresented minorities remain unacceptably low, particularly at research universities. Therefore, AMS members, both individual and institutional, are urged to examine frequently their policies and procedures to find ways to facilitate careers in mathematics research for women and underrepresented minorities.

Some Sources for Courses of Action

• Women Mathematicians in the Academic Ranks, Report of the 2006 BIRS workshop on Women in Mathematics
• To Recruit and Advance: Women Students and Faculty in Science and Engineering, Chapter 4, NAP 2006
• Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering, NAP
• Awardee Websites under the NSF ADVANCE Program
• Guidelines for Recruiting a Diverse Workforce, Penn State University
• Faculty Recruitment Toolkit, University of Washington
• Faculty Search Committee Handbook, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Handbook for Faculty Searches and Hiring, University of Michigan

Organizations and Data

• The Annual Survey is a source for recent data concerning hiring, retention, and promotion in mathematics.
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• National Association of Mathematicians is a professional organization that promotes excellence in the mathematical sciences and the mathematical development of underrepresented minorities.
• The Council for African American Researchers in the Mathematical Sciences (CAARMS)
• National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in Mathematics
• The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
• Science Career Magazine Annual Diversity Issue provides career help, advice, and support especially for minority students and their mentors.
• Diversity in the Mathematics and Scientific Community provides resources for addressing issues of diversity in programs, such as improving recruitment, hiring and retention practices, and capitalizing on mentor opportunities to support diversity at all levels.

Programs, Funding, and Fellowships that Promote Diversity

• Mathematics Programs That Make a Difference Since 2006, the AMS has highlighted programs that aim to bring more persons from underrepresented backgrounds into the pipeline beginning at the undergraduate level and leading to an advanced degree in mathematics, or retain them in the pipeline.
• Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) Programs A listing of programs, conferences, workshops, lectures, and information on mentoring for women in mathematics.
• Sloan Career Cornerstone Center A listing of programs for underrepresented minorities and women that focus on science, engineering, mathematics and medicine, including information on university resources, summer programs, precollege programs, scholarship opportunities, and professional association support.
• Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Annual fellowships available for predoctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral levels, which aim to increase the diversity of the nation's college and university faculties.
• The Sloan Foundation offers special scholarships to underrepresented minority students who are beginning their doctoral work in engineering, natural sciences, or mathematics.
• NSF-AWM Travel Grants for Women support travel that enhances mathematical research.
• Under the Microscope where women and science connect, from the Feminist Press
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts that enhance the participation of groups underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in Mathematics

Biographies and More

• Women Doing Mathematics is a poster and web page from the AMS.
• AWM Essay Contest: Biographies of Contemporary Women in Mathematics ? AWM and Math for America sponsor an annual contest to increase awareness of women's ongoing contributions to the mathematical sciences.
• Biographies of Women Mathematicians illustrates the achievements of women in the field of mathematics and is part of an ongoing project at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Mathematicians of the African Diaspora exhibits the accomplishments mathematicians from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Questions? Contact the AMS. Email AMS Membership and Programs Department

Quick Links

Data on New Ph.D.s and Hiring

Join the AMS!

Mathematics Genealogy