Offices & Services
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Voices for Diversity in STEM

I'll Make Me a World: Voices for Diversity in STEM is a speaker series devoted to promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), and related fields. Our goal is to give STEM scholars a chance to share their voice and unique experiences, spark conversation about ways to foster diversity in STEM, and strengthen the sense of belonging and inclusion for all individuals.The speaker series aims especially to encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to consider an education and a career in STEM, or a related field. We hope to empower and inspire underrepresented minorities — and people of all backgrounds — by inviting speakers who have defended diversity and championed inclusivity in their professional spheres. 

This initiative launched in October 2018 after electrical engineering concentrator Winston Michalak S.B. '21 presented SEAS leadership and Dr. Evelynn Hammonds, Chair of the Harvard Department of the History of Science, with a proposal for a speaker series that would openly discuss the challenges faced by underrepresented minorities in STEM, present strategies for success, and highlight a variety of professional careers. 

Events are held twice each year in the fall and spring. Sponsorship is provided by the SEAS Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Harvard Department of History of Science, and the Project on Race & Gender in Science & Medicine at the Hutchins Center.

Past Speakers:

  • Rubèn Lozano-Aguilera, Product Manager, Google Cloud
  • Saf Yeboah-Amankwah, Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer, Intel
  • Ken Armstead, Managing Partner, BHC Macro Investment Management, LLC
  • Dr. Anastacia Awad, Associate Director, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
  • Raj Bhattacharyya, CEO, Robertson Stephens
  • Dr. Patrice Harris, Immediate Past President of the American Medical Association
  • Dr. Jelani Nelson, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley
  • Dr. Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government and Technology in Residence, Harvard University
  • Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Founder and Principal, Intersections SBD
  • Dr. Jhacova Williams, Associate Economist, RAND Corp

To submit speaker suggestions, please contact diversity@seas.harvard.edu.

Articles:

Voices for Diversity in STEM

Creating a World of Opportunities

 

Voices for Diversity in STEM Speaker Series Panel
Audience at the Voices for the Diversity in STEM Panel