The importance of recruitment and retention in Heliophysics: it’s not just a pipeline problem

Alexa J. Halford; Christopher M. Bard; Angeline G. Burrell; Ryan M. McGranaghan; Ryan M. McGranaghan; Lynn B. Wilson III; McArthur Jones; Chuanfei Dong; Chuanfei Dong; Liang Wang; Tuija I. Pulkkinen; Niescja Turner; Michael W. Liemohn; Jeff Klenzing

doi:10.3389/fspas.2023.1216449

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences (Aug 2023)

The importance of recruitment and retention in Heliophysics: it’s not just a pipeline problem

Alexa J. Halford,
Christopher M. Bard,
Angeline G. Burrell,
Ryan M. McGranaghan,
Ryan M. McGranaghan,
Lynn B. Wilson III,
McArthur Jones,
Chuanfei Dong,
Chuanfei Dong,
Liang Wang,
Tuija I. Pulkkinen,
Niescja Turner,
Michael W. Liemohn,
Jeff Klenzing

Affiliations

Alexa J. Halford: Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Greenbelt, MD, United States
Christopher M. Bard: Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Greenbelt, MD, United States
Angeline G. Burrell: Space Science Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, United States
Ryan M. McGranaghan: Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Greenbelt, MD, United States
Ryan M. McGranaghan: Orion Space Solutions, Louisville, CO, United States
Lynn B. Wilson III: Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Greenbelt, MD, United States
McArthur Jones: Space Science Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, United States
Chuanfei Dong: Department of Astronomy, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
Chuanfei Dong: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
Liang Wang: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
Tuija I. Pulkkinen: Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Niescja Turner: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States
Michael W. Liemohn: Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Jeff Klenzing: Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Greenbelt, MD, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2023.1216449
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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A major obstacle in cultivating a robust Heliophysics (and broader scientific) community is the lack of diversity throughout science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. For many years, this has been understood as a “leaky pipeline” analogy, in which predominately minority students initially interested in STEM gradually fall (or are pushed) out of the field on their way to a scientific research position. However, this ignores critical structural and policy issues which drive even later career Ph.D.s out of a career in Heliophysics. We identify here several systemic problems that inhibit many from participating fully in the Heliophysics community, including soft money pressure, lack of accessibility and equity, power imbalances, lack of accountability, friction in collaboration, and difficulties in forming mentorship bonds. We present several recommendations to empower research-supporting organizations to help create a culture of inclusion, openness, and innovative science.

Published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

ISSN: 2296-987X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Astronomy; Science: Physics: Geophysics. Cosmic physics
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/astronomy-and-space-sciences

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