‘Picture a Scientist’ Panel Tackles the Need for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, March 22, 2021 – When you picture a scientist, who do you see?On March 24, four world-renowned scientists – including Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Jennifer Doudna – will share their perspectives on this question, and many others, during a candid conversation on advancing diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

This free virtual event is hosted by EdTech leader ProQuest,Scientific American, FILM PLATFORM and ro*co films. The discussion will be moderated by Laura Helmuth, Editor in Chief forScientific American.Participants will come away with a better sense of understanding of – and passion for – advancing diversity in STEM fields and beyond.

Along with Doudna, who is featured in the documentaryHuman Nature,the panel will includeDr. Raychelle Burks, a chemist at American University;Dr. Jane Willenbring, a geologist at Stanford University; andDr. Eva Pietri, a research psychologist at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, who is studying the impact of film in effecting change within the scientific community. Inspired by the award-winning documentaryPicture a Scientist, which features Burks and Willenbring, the discussion will focus on the experience of each panelist as leaders in their field, the obstacles they overcame, and positive solutions for advancing equity.

“At ProQuest, we aim to affect change through the power of knowledge, and we’re deeply honored to host this important event with our partners,” saidChris Burghardt, Senior Vice President, ProQuest Information Solutions.“In addition to diversity in STEM, this panel will also be discussing the valuable role that documentary films – likePicture a ScientistandHuman Nature– can play in sparking important conversations in education.”

“At a time when science is delivering life-saving vaccines at a rapid pace, this film asks the question ‘what do we lose when we discourage half of the best minds from pursuing science?’” saidAnnie Roney, founder and CEO of ro*co films.“This event and this film could fuel future scientific discovery as registrants are stopping everything to ask how we can do better by fostering a more diverse and inclusive discipline.”

Register nowfor the Picture a Scientist event on March 24 at 3 p.m. ET.

About the Event Partners

FILM PLATFORMis an exclusive collection of the most prestigious documentary films streaming for academic use, available through ProQuest.

ro*co filmsis a leading educational distributor of documentary films specializing in impact and engagement.

Scientific Americancovers the advances in research and discovery that are changing our understanding of the world and shaping our lives. Founded 1845, it is the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States and now reaches more than 10 million people around the world each month through its website, print and digital editions, newsletters and app. Authoritative, engaging features, news, opinion and multimedia stories from journalists and expert authors – including more than 200 Nobel Prize winners – provide need-to-know coverage, insights and illumination of the most important developments at the intersection of science and society.Scientific Americanis published bySpringer Nature. As a research publisher, Springer Nature is home to other trusted brands including Springer, Nature Research, BMC and Palgrave Macmillan.

About ProQuest(about.proquest.com)

ProQuest supports the important work in the world’s research and learning communities. The company curates six centuries of content – the world’s largest collection of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news, and video – and builds powerful workflow solutions to help libraries acquire and grow collections that inspire extraordinary outcomes. ProQuest products and services are used in academic, K-12, public, corporate and government libraries in 150 countries.

Along with its companies and affiliates Ex Libris, Alexander Street, and Bowker, ProQuest helps its customers achieve better research, better learning and better insights. For more information, visit ourProQuestandExtraordinary Storiesblogs, and follow us onTwitter,FacebookorInstagram.