This episode of The Inquiry Oasis we dive into the REEDS (Research on Educational Equity and Diversity in STEM) Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona College of Education. Funded by a significant NSF grant, this initiative aims to reshape STEM education through research focused on creating inclusive and diverse learning environments. The episode features conversations with the first cohort of REEDS fellows - Drs. Abby Rocha, Sy Simms, Nicholas Witt, and Shakuntala Devi Gopal - who share their individual research projects, personal inspirations, and experiences in transitioning from graduate students to postdoctoral scholars. They reflect on the intersection of STEM, diversity, and education, and discuss how their work contributes to a more equitable academic landscape.

Topics Discussed:

• Cultivating Culturally Affirming Mathematics Curriculum
• Equitable STEM Access for Marginalized Learners
•  Institutional Diversity and Sense of Belonging
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Higher Education
• Challenges and Opportunities of Postdoctoral Transition
• Role of Personal and Professional Identities in Academic Research
• Impacts of Research on Policy and Practice in Higher Education

Recommended Books/Papers:

• Funds of Knowledge for Teaching: Using a Qualitative Approach to Connect Homes and Classrooms by Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, Deborah Neff, Norma Gonzalez
• The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky
• On Being Included, Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life by Sara Ahmed
• Reading and Writing the World with Mathematics: Toward a Pedagogy for Social Justice by Eric Gutstein