STEMinist Reading Group
Fall 2026
This semester, we will build a discussion based on the following questions:
- Why are women underrepresented in math?
- What structures lead to these exclusions?
- What does it mean to be a mathematician?
- What does it mean to cultivate an environment that is inclusive as well as one that induces change?
The semester plan is as follows:
- 9/11 - "How women invented book clubs, revolutionizing reading and their own lives" by Jess McHugh + "The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house" speech by Andrew Lorde (optional)
- 9/25 - Selections from Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by bell hooks
- 10/9 - Selections from Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by bell hooks
- 10/23 - Selections from Inventing the Mathematician: Gender, Race, and Our Cultural Understandings of Mathematics by Sara Hottinger
- 11/6 - Selections from Inventing the Mathematician: Gender, Race, and Our Cultural Understandings of Mathematics by Sara Hottinger
- 11/20 - Selections from Inventing the Mathematician: Gender, Race, and Our Cultural Understandings of Mathematics by Sara Hottinger
Specific chapters/readings will be sent out each week by email. All are welcome and encouraged to come, even if you have not looked at the readings beforehand!
If you have not yet signed up for our email list and are interested in learning more about our reading group, join here!
Previous Readings:
- Hidden Figures Revealed: Highlighting the Stories of Black Mathematicians
- Imposter Syndrome - Stanford University
- Choosing the Margin as a Space of Radical Openness - Bell Hooks
- A Survey of Mathematical Modeling of Hormonal Contraception and the Menstrual Cycle by Heather Z Brooks, et al.
- Mathematical Self-Concept Anomalies in Women Regarding STEM Degree Aspirations: Being a Big Fish in a Small Pond? by Pia Tscholl
- A sense of belonging matters. That's why academic culture needs to change by Katie Langin
- When Strong Mentoring Relationships are Missing from the Equation, Can Women Maximize Success in the Academy? by Leona A. Harris
- Margaret Rossiter and the Matilda Effect by Jennifer Harbster
- Intersectionality in STEM by Michel Geovanni Santiago-Martínez
- Intersectional Role Models in STEM with India Johnson and Eva Pietri from the Opinion Science pocast
- The Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science by Julie Des Jardins: (1) Assistants, Housekeepers, and Interchangeable Parts (Intro) and (2) The Cult of Masculinity in the Age of Heroic Science (Intro)
- Whistling Vivaldi by Calude Steele: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 9
- The Sexual Politics of Genius by Moon Duchin & Reducing Stereotype Threat (1 page)
- Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Chapter 7 with guest Dr. Lauren Czaplicki
- Body Projects of Young Women of Color in Physics: Intersections of Gender, Race, and Science by Maria Ong
- CSforALL - Our Modern Day Space Race by Ruthe Farmer & Can Title IX Change STEM Culture? with guest Ruthe Farmer
- Targeted Workplace Incivility: The Roles of Belongingness, Embarrassment, and Power, by Hershcovis et al. with guest Julie Volckens
- Living Proof: Stories of Resilience Along the Mathematical Journey
- Why Archive of Our Own’s Surprise Hugo Nomination Is Such a Big Deal, by Casey Fiesler with guest Casey Fiesler
- Articles on the impact of COVID-19:* The Virus Moved Female Faculty to the Brink. Will Universities Help? by Jillian Kramer
- *'It's like we're going back 30 years': how the coronavirus is gutting diversity in science * by Chris Woolston
- *Coronavirus cutbacks could reverse hard-fought equity gains in STEM workforce* by Bec Crew
- *The impact of COVID-19: Graduate students' emotional and psychological experiences* by Chad E. Kee
- Invisible Women from the 99% Invisible podcast
- 'Slaughtering this beautiful math': graduate women choosing and leaving mathematics by Abbe H. Herzig
- Towards a Fully Inclusive Mathematics Profession by Adriana Salerno
- Articles on affirmative action in universities & in the U.S.: Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge to Affirmative Action at Harvard and U.N.C. by Adam Liptak and Anemona Hartocollis;
- The Rise and Fall of Affirmative Action by Hua Hsu
- California Tries to Close the Gap in Math, but Sets Off a Backlash by Jacey Fortin