Annual Report 2008.pdf - SAMSI

H. Diversity Efforts
SAMSI puts considerable emphasis on contributing to the NSF’s effort to broaden the
participation from underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences. During the past year,
we have organized and co-sponsored many diversity related activities.
SAMSI co-sponsored and co-organized the Infinite Possibilities Conference at NCSU in
November, 2007. This is a conference for designed to encourage, mentor, and establish
networks for minority women who are considering careers in the mathematical sciences.
Approximately 216 women participated in activities such as professional development
workshops, research talks, poster sessions, round table discussions, special sessions for high
school students.
On Nov.14-15, 2008, SAMSI will host the 6 th Blackwell-Tapia Conference. This bi-annual event
in honor of David Blackwell and Richard Tapia brings together African-American, Native
American and Latino/Latina students, faculty, and researchers from mathematics and statistics.
Michael Minion has been serving as SAMSI’s representative to the NSF Institutes’ Diversity
Coordination Committee which was formed in 2006 by Chris Jones (SAMSI) and Helen Moore
(formerly of AIM), and is now chaired by Kathleen O’Hara (MSRI). This committee coorganized
Conversations with Minority Scientists, at the Joint Mathematical Meeting, San Diego
January 7, 2008, and a diversity reception at the SACNAS 2007 National Convention on Oct. 15,
2007. SAMSI will be taking part in a more involved outreach program at the 2008 SACNAS
National Convention.
SAMSI has also developed a web page devoted to our diversity activities. The page advertises
the various program activities related to minority outreach and has links to other diversity related
information outside of SAMSI.
1. Minority Participation in SAMSI Programs
1.1 2006-2007
1.1.1 Development, Assessment and Utilization of Complex Computer Models:
Minorities, in particular women, are very well represented. Susie Bayarri was the overall
program leader and Montse Fuentes was heavily involved in the leadership of the Environmental
Subprogram.
The Program Leaders strived to have women representation in all working groups,
workshops and activities. In particular, when invitations have been issued (for participation in
different activities), adequate representation (senior/junior, geographical and minorities) have
been actively pursued. For instance, speakers at workshops were 20-25\% female, even though
Computer Models is an area where extremely few senior women are active. Also, five of the nine
official graduate students in the program were female and one was Hispanic.
1.1.2 Random Matrices and High Dimensional Inference: