2 upcoming events
A session of the X-DEBER Conference
Presented by Christine O’Donnell
Abstract: The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Initiative has developed a comprehensive “EP3 Guide” (ep3guide.org) to empower departments to engage with intentional and effective change through self-reflection, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based strategies and resources. The Guide includes topics such as how to recruit and retain majors; how to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion; and how to design courses for non-majors. Many of these topics, as well as the practices described in the Guide, are not unique to physics: understanding students’ diverse career pathways, having a formal mentoring structure, and addressing departmental culture are relevant to many disciplines. In 2022, EP3 was invited to present a workshop series to humanities faculty. Participants reported the material in the EP3 Guide was applicable to their contexts, and the workshops helped them think through and consider potential actions to address issues such as how to increase enrollments. However, they faced obstacles, especially having the time and power to enact change. EP3 has gathered similar data from physics faculty. Based on surveys and interviews of physics department chairs, nearly a quarter have used the Guide, but many are hampered by situational overwhelm, limiting their ability to enact departmental changes. Given the common challenges faced by many disciplines, the EP3 Initiative is seeking new partners interested in developing and assessing community engagement strategies. These efforts will contribute to refining the effective practices in the Guide, enabling EP3 to support even more departments in effective change processes.
April 15, 2023 | 05:00 PM–07:00 PM CST
A session of the April Meeting 2023
Presented by David Craig
Abstract: The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Guide is an online living document designed to enable departments to engage with intentional and effective change through self-reflection, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based strategies and resources. According to a 2022 survey of physics departments, 72% are aware of the Guide, and nearly a quarter have used it to address issues such as how to recruit and retain majors; how to enhance equity diversity and inclusion; how to support effective mentoring; and how to include computation skills in physics courses. In this session, participants will learn key strategies for successfully and sustainably implementing change drawn from from case studies of Guide usage. Participants will use Guide tools, such as Goal Maps and the Toolkit for Departments Under Threat, to identify sections relevant to the challenges their departments are facing or might expect to face, and they will reflect on how to apply the Guide to their local contexts. Participants will leave the workshop with a plan outline for leading their departments to implement desired and effective change.