BRiDGE aims to increase the representation and visibility of early career scientists from underrepresented groups to combat attrition of underrepresented graduate students. BRiDGE will increase the diversity of invited speakers on campus while providing a space for open and constructive conversations between current graduate students and early career researchers on the obstacles faced by underrepresented groups in STEM. In addition to highlighting the contributions of underrepresented scientists, BRiDGE provides invited early career researchers with a platform for sharing their research, and establishing collaborations at a leading research university.

The BRiDGE platform includes:

BRiDGE2Science: The BRiDGE Scholar gives an invited lecture as part of your department’s seminar. In this traditional technical talk, the BRiDGE Scholar will share their cutting-edge current research, including the future steps for their work, with time for questions and feedback from the audience.

BRiDGE2Impacts: The NSF defines Broader Impacts as ‘the potential of the research effort to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific societal outcomes.’ BRiDGE2Impacts provides an opportunity for the BRIDGE speaker to highlight their contributions to their wider communities. This can be a traditional lecture or follow a different format (i.e. a workshop, panel discussion, etc.) that maximizes the potential impact of the event. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, discussions on pedagogy, participation in outreach, and/or narratives on identity in STEM.

BRiDGE2Students: An informal event that is meant to bring together the BRiDGE scholar and graduate students from across campus to exchange personal narratives and experiences related to their scientific and academic journeys.