Facilitating Constructive Discussions of Difficult Socio-Scientific Issues

Authors

Gregory R. Goldsmith, Chapman UniversityFollow
Brenna M. G. Gormally, Chapman University
Rebecca M. Green, Chapman University
Aaron W. Harrison, Chapman University
Brian A. Hoover, Chapman University
Kenjiro W. Quides, Chapman UniversityFollow
Zachary Thammavongsy, Chapman University
Shana R. Welles, Chapman UniversityFollow
Bingjie Zhang, Chapman UniversityFollow
Kelsey M. Gray, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-30-2021

Abstract

Discussion can be an important and powerful tool in efforts to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future for STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). However, facilitating discussions on difficult, complex, and often uncomfortable issues, like racism and sexism, can feel daunting. We outline a series of steps that can be used by educators to facilitate productive discussions that empower everyone to listen, contribute, learn, and ultimately act to transform STEM.

Comments

This article was originally published in Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, volume 22, issue 2, in 2021. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00153-21

Recommended Citation

Goldsmith GR, Gormally BMG, Green RM, Harrison AW, Hoover BA, Quides KW, Thammavongsy Z,Welles SR, Zhang B, Gray KM. 2021. Facilitating constructive discussions of difficult socio-scientific issues. J Microbiol Biol Educ 22:e00153-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00153-21.

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.