Thread by @mathprofcarrie

Tweeting the plenary from #BIOME20 since it isn't live streaming to all, but get your info here!
"Mentoring Deaf Students in UREs: The value of cultural competency" by Derek Braun #STEMed #research

#BIOME20 is brought to you by @qubeshub @BioQUESTed and this year's theme.

Dr. Braun is speaking, but we are assisted in understanding by interpreters on the Zoom. 2/

First - why diversify STEM? 1) Diversifies research directions, 2) Better problem solving and 3) we weed out capable folx with contribution potential. 3/

There is a lot of variation in the deaf community - a lot of variation, don't rely on stereotypes.

We started here:

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Dr. Braun used a STEM mentoring model that combined traditional capitals with community cultural wealth, drawing on a lot of literature also from research in the Latinx community.

lifescied.org/doi/full/10.11…

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Nice reflection on the process of surveying - having a survey that didn't factor, and then later a survey that factored differently, but not always what the expected!

(Carrie now - I love this "extra talk" about the process, because it is hard!)

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Results: Deaf mentors were the best, but Deaf-aware mentors also performed quite well.

A second study revealed that cohort models were very helpful in having a positive mentorship experience.

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Break out questions for the audience:
1. How can cultural competence be taught and learned?

2. What are the practical ways that you can make your URE welcoming to Deaf mentees?

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3. Why should research groups studying a minority group always include scientists from that group on their team? Think of potential examples

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