Diversity & Outreach

The IMA’s mission—to train the next generation of researchers and educators—requires mathematicians and scientists skilled at thinking in new ways and across disciplinary boundaries.

Thus, it is essential that the IMA engage participants from the largest talent base available, and to strengthen this base. For this reason, the IMA strives to increase the involvement of scientists from traditionally underrepresented groups with IMA programs at all levels—as workshop organizers, participants, and speakers; visiting scientists; and postdoctoral fellows. The IMA’s success in fostering new connections and collaborations gives its outreach efforts particular force. 

Partnership with the Association for Women in Mathematics

Women at a conference

The IMA has partnered with the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) for more than 10 years with the goal of both increasing the participation in IMA programs by women and assisting young women mathematicians in their career development. The IMA has hosted several workshops focusing on career options for women in math, including workshops that bring together senior and junior women mathematicians to discuss and conduct research, with the goal of broadening the network that advances women's careers and strengthens their agendas. 

The School of Mathematics and the IMA served as the hosts of the 2022 AWM Research Symposium. An event that showcased research from women across the mathematical sciences working in academia, government, and industry, as well as featuring women across the career spectrum: undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and professionals. 

Partnership with the Math Alliance

people at a conference

The IMA has hosted several career options for underrepresented groups in mathematical sciences workshops with the goal of encouraging underrepresented minorities at various stages of their careers, including graduate students and postdocs with Ph.D.s in mathematics or math-related fields, to become prepared to work in academia, industry, or government labs.

In 2019, we began partnering with the Math Alliance, a national community of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to increasing the number of doctoral degrees in the mathematical and statistical sciences among groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in those fields. Since then, we’ve collaborated on workshops and conferences designed to introduce students to professional opportunities and graduate programs in the mathematical sciences.