Empowering the BIPOC Communities in STEM: The Potential Impact of the CHIPS and Science Act

The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted with bipartisan support, represents crucial legislation focused on global competition in science and technology. The legislation aims to drive innovation and economic development across various technology focus areas, such as chip manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, by enabling federal agencies to fund research and development. This episode focuses explicitly on the science-related provisions of the legislation, which encompass fundamental scientific research, applied research through the National Science Foundation (NSF) TIP Directorate, and STEM education and workforce development. While the legislation holds immense potential for boosting global competitiveness, the episode acknowledges the need for adequate funding to ensure its successful implementation.Another core objective of the CHIPS and Science Act is to strengthen the STEM pipeline by prioritizing diversity and inclusion. The episode highlights key provisions that address this objective. Firstly, the legislation guides education and research capacity-building programs of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, such as the INCLUDES program which is focused on addressing specific challenges related to inclusion in STEM nationally.Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes the need to support states and territories that historically received smaller shares of federal research funding, fostering a more inclusive approach to research and education nationwide. By scaling up funding in research and STEM accounts, especially in underserved areas, the legislation aims to promote accessibility to STEM education in rural areas.The opinions expressed in this episode represent Dr. Bankston's personal views and not the views of the organizations where this work was performed. For more information on the CHIPS and Science Act and how it can impact the STEM pipeline, please contact Dr. Adriana Bankston.Dr. Bankston is a Senior Fellow in Civic Science & Public Policy with Sigma Xi, where she leads a project that examines science policy engagement at the state level and determines the skills, knowledge, and resources scientists require to influence public policy successfully. Before this role, Adriana was a Principal Legislative Analyst at the University of California Office of Federal Governmental Relations, where she served as an advocate for the university with Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies. Previously, Adriana was a Policy & Advocacy Fellow at the Society for Neuroscience. She is also CEO & Managing Publisher of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, a Fellow with Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), and a Biomedical Workforce & Policy Research Investigator at the STEM Advocacy Institute. In recognition of her contributions to the field, the Advocacy Association named Adriana among the Top 20 in 2022 Advocacy practitioners. She was also awarded the inaugural 2022 ARIS Emerging Broader Impacts Leader Award. Adriana earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology from Emory University.Contact info:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianabankstonWebsite: adrianabankston.comEmail: [email protected]: @AdrianaBankstonSupport the show