Board on Higher Education and Workforce

Summit

Reimagining STEMM Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Career Development: A Summit

July 22 - 23, 2025

Past

Materials

About

A lack of action on long-standing issues coupled with recent societal disruptions has led to growing tensions and challenges between graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and the faculty and institutions that are meant to train them. Building on relevant reports and projects, this national action-focused summit will highlight changes in learning environments, skills acquisition, and the roles and responsibilities of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars while exploring proposed approaches and effective practices around changing the nature of mentorship, providing awareness of career pathways, and right-sizing the quantity of postdoctoral scholars in service of ensuring a robust U.S. research talent base.

Organizing Project

Reimagining STEMM Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Career Development: A Summit

Contact

Rian Lund Dahlberg

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities - Meeting 1B

March 27, 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is the second part of the committee meeting for Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Dan Raker; Keivan Stassun; Luis Perez; Tom Dawson; Dan Raker; Pati Ruiz; Rupa Valdez; Rachel Figard; Rory Cooper; David Heeger

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Committee discussed the project timeline and approaches to statement of task.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

Previous NASEM publications

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

March 31, 2025

Organizing Project

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities

Contact

Melissa E. Wynn

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities - Meeting 1A

March 21, 2025

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is the first committee meeting for the Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Bonnie Swenor; Dan Raker; Keivan Stassun; KR Liu; Luis Perez; Tom Dawson; Dan Raker; Feranmi Okanlami; KR Liu; Pati Ruiz; Rupa Valdez; Rachel Figard

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Committee discussed introductions and meeting norms.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

March 31, 2025

Organizing Project

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities

Contact

Melissa E. Wynn

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webcast

Supporting Family Caregivers in STEMM: Graduate Student and Post-Doc Caregivers Webinar

October 29, 2024

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Past

Discussion

This discussion information is being collected via Slido. Slido is not affiliated in any way with, or endorsed by, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and your submission via the Slido website is subject to Slido’s privacy and terms of use.

About

Caregiving is a universal experience--whether providing care for children or aging relatives or receiving care when ailing, everyone at some point will be touched by caregiving. And yet, caregiving remains stigmatized and under-supported in academia, with particular challenges for graduate students and post-docs who face greater hurdles to accessing and advocating for their needs. Building on the recent release of a National Academies report on Supporting Family Caregivers in STEMM, this webinar will unpack the caregiving experiences of post-doctoral scholars and graduate students and examine what institutions can do to better support these populations.

Contact

Katherine Wullert

KWullert@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Workshop

Mentorship, Well-being, and Professional Development in Times of Societal Change and Institutional Disruptions: A Workshop

October 28 - 29, 2024

Past

Agenda

Download the Agenda

About

Critical supports and resources within the STEMM research ecosystem are shifting in reaction to rapid changes in institutional, regional, and national environments. In addition, decisions made by external groups and individuals can have a dramatic and profound influence on the well-being, professional development, and interpersonal and mentoring relationships of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Building upon the conversations held during the first two Roundtable workshops, the goal of this third public workshop is to apply a systemic lens to explore the ways in which individuals, departments and offices, and institutions are addressing and navigating these common challenges.

Organizing Project

Mentorship, Well-being, and Professional Development in Times of Societal Change and Institutional Disruptions: A Workshop

Contact

Melissa E. Wynn

BHEW@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Summit

Is Collective Bargaining the Answer? New Approaches to Adjudication of Sexual Harassment Complaints in Recent Graduate Student Labor Agreements

October 15, 2024

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (EDT)

Past

About

Karen Stubaus, National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions (presentation)
Sarah Arveson, UAW 4811 (formerly UAW 5810), the Union of Postdoctoral Scholars and Academic Researchers within the University of California System
Renée Fonseca, President of GSU-UE 1103, the Union of Graduate Student Employees at the University of Chicago
Moderator: Melissa Sortman, Michigan State University

Organizing Project

Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations of STEM Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars: A Conversation Series

Contact

Maria Lund Dahlberg

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Board on Higher Education and Workforce Fall 2024 Board Meeting

October 11, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

Agenda

Download the Agenda

About

This is a convening of the Board on Higher Education and Workforce (BHEW). The open session will be from 12:30 - 4:30 pm ET. Open Session description below:

Reimagining the National Defense Education Act: policies for National Higher Education and STEM Talent Strategy

The Board on Higher Education and Workforce will host open session discussions to explore topics related to a potential re-issuance of the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) or National Higher Education and STEM Talent Strategy. The Board will welcome three panels on the current context of reimagining the NDEA of 1958, recent relevant National Academies Reports and Projects, and the feasibility and factors for implementation National Higher Education or STEM Talent Strategy today.

Speakers include:

Suzanne Barbour, Dean of The Graduate School, Vice Provost, and Professor of Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine
Olivia Blackmon, Director of Oak Ridge Associated Universities STEM Accelerator
Darío Gil, Chair of the NSB; Senior Vice President and Director of IBM research
Austin Hall, Director of Policy for the STEM Education Coalition
Julia Jester, Deputy Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy at The Association of American Universities
Hironao Okahana, Assistant Vice President & Executive Director of Education Futures Lab at the American Council on Education
Julie Posselt, Professor of Higher Education at Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California
Keivan Stassun, Stevenson chair in Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University

Contact

Contact us

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

Perspectives from New Voices: Navigating Early-stage STEM Careers Across Sectors

September 25, 2024

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The Board on Higher Education and Workforce will host an open session featuring members of the New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine program, which engages mid-career scientists, engineers, and health professionals to expand the diversity of expertise engaged in the National Academies’ work. The session will focus on how experiences as graduate students and postodocs aid in the transition to careers in STEM and share lessons learned on how to prepare for the transition. Panelists will draw from their academic and professional experiences across multiple sectors.This is one of two conversations with New Voices members intended to provide deeper insight into current hurdles that graduate students and postdocs face to prepare for and land into their own successful career.

Speakers:

Moderator:

Dr. Mahdieh Aghazadeh, Principal Process Engineer, Johnson and Johnson

Panelists:

Dr. Sabrina Assoumou, Associate Professor and Inaugural Louis W. Sullivan, MD, Endowed Professor of Medicine, Boston University, Boston Medical Center
Dr. Holly Mayton, Principal Scientist – Sustainability, Science, and Policy, Deere & Company
Dr. Emily Pentzer, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

Contact

Maria Lund Dahlberg

(202) 334-3372
mdahlberg@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

Current STEM Labor Movements: Upstream Consequences for Industry and Innovation

September 16, 2024

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

To capitalize on the importance and critical role of private and industrial partners in this discussion, a conversation series will be convened as a partnership between GUIRR and the National Academy of Engineering President's Business Advisory Committee. This panel will convene to discuss how student needs around increased pay and other fringe benefits, as well as additional economically based future STEM trainee pressures, may change the cost or efficiency of innovation. Specific consideration will be placed on trainees’ economic forces and pathways representing the transition from the university to industry. It will also consider the role of building a robust and retained workforce in an era of increased global competition for a shrinking and specialized labor pool.

Contact

Alex Temple

atemple@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

Perspectives from New Voices: Promoting Professional Development for Graduate Students in a Changing Paradigm

September 11, 2024

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The Board on Higher Education and Workforce will host an open session featuring members of the New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine program, which engages mid-career scientists, engineers, and health professionals to expand the diversity of expertise engaged in the National Academies’ work. The session will focus on the experience of graduate students while in school and how their mentors and institutions can successfully foster their professional development. Panelists will draw from their academic experiences in U.S. and international institutions as well as their professional interactions with graduate students and postdocs. This is one of two conversations with New Voices members intended to provide deeper insight into current hurdles that graduate students and postdocs face to prepare for and land into their own successful careers.

Speakers:

Moderator:

Dr. Mahdieh Aghazadeh, Principal Process Engineer, Johnson and Johnson

Panelists:

Dr. Mitul Luhar, Associate Professor and Henry Salvatori Early Career Chair, University of Southern California
Dr. Michael Martin, Staff Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dr. Eri Saikawa, Professor and Winship Distinguished Research Professor, Emory University

Contact

Maria Lund Dahlberg

(202) 334-3372
mdahlberg@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

The Role of Independent Research Institutes in Supporting and Developing Postsecondary and Post-graduate Education

August 29, 2024

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The Board on Higher Education and Workforce will host an open session on Thursday, August 29, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET featuring representatives from three Independent Research Institutes (IRIs) across the United States. The session will focus on the role of IRIs in postsecondary and post-graduate education and research, and the benefits and barriers facing these unique organizations. This conversation will showcase the growing need to more fully understand and expand the modes of postsecondary and post-graduate education available for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Speakers:

Moderator:

M. Maria Lund Dahlberg, Director, Board on Higher Education and Workforce, National Academies

Panelists:

Dr. Valentina Parma, Director of Academic Affairs, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Dr. Emily Lillian Fishman, Director of Academic Affairs, SENS Research Foundation
Dr. Gregory Chin, Senior Program Manager, Postsecondary Education, The Buck Institute

Organizing Project

Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations of STEM Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars: A Conversation Series

Contact

Contact us

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment: Public Release Launch

August 29, 2024

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The public release of the International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment consensus study report was held on August 29, 2024, 3:00-4:00 PM ET. The report reviews foreign and domestic talent or incentive programs and recommends ways to improve the effectiveness of U.S. mechanisms for attracting and retaining the best and brightest scholars, relative to programs and incentives used by the U.S.'s strategic competitors.

Members of the consensus study committee provided an overview of the report and discuss its findings and recommendations. This was followed by a moderated question and answer period during which members of the public submitted written questions. The event was recorded and the video will be posted on this page.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Not Closed

Organizing Project

International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment

Contact

Jordan Graves

jgraves@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Webinar

Future STEM Workforce Skills, Gaps, and Staffing Demand Reflecting New Student Dynamics

August 12, 2024

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)

Past

About

To capitalize on the importance and critical role of private and industrial partners in this discussion, a conversation series will be convened as a partnership between GUIRR and the National Academy of Engineering President's Business Advisory Committee. The purpose of this conversation is to identify the skills needed by a future STEM-oriented workforce. It will ask leaders to forecast R&D trends in their sectors and project what types of students need to emerge from institutions of higher education to meet those emerging trends.

Contact

Maria Lund Dahlberg

mdahlberg@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Board on Higher Education and Workforce Summer 2024 Board Meeting

July 26, 2024

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This was the Summer 2024 Board Meeting. It was an closed session for Board members and staff only.

Contact

Contact us

bhew@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise (Public Release Report Briefing)

July 23, 2024

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise committee will hold an open meeting to brief the public on their Report.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Not Closed

Organizing Project

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise

Contact

Zoe Alexander

(202) 334-2374
zalexander@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Log In

Sign in to access your saved publications, downloads, and email preferences.

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Log In

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Subscribe

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

My Academies

Board on Higher Education and Workforce

Reimagining STEMM Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Career Development: A Summit

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities - Meeting 1B

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities - Meeting 1A

Supporting Family Caregivers in STEMM: Graduate Student and Post-Doc Caregivers Webinar

Mentorship, Well-being, and Professional Development in Times of Societal Change and Institutional Disruptions: A Workshop

Is Collective Bargaining the Answer? New Approaches to Adjudication of Sexual Harassment Complaints in Recent Graduate Student Labor Agreements