UW System IDEAS Alliance

UW System Alliance for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Advancement in STEM

The mission of the IDEAS Alliance is to create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment in STEM education within the UW System and the Wisconsin community. We promote the application of evidence-based practices in STEM education to catalyze systemic change and advance STEM fields and practitioners.

In particular, the program seeks to:

• Increase faculty expertise in inclusive, student-centered pedagogy
• Attract, retain, support, and advance diverse STEM students, staff, and faculty
• Promote STEM education that includes analysis of the social context in which science is practiced
• Cultivate cultural competencies in STEM environments
• Promote policies & nurture climates that attract and retain historically underrepresented students and educators in STEM disciplines
• Foster collaborative communities for UW System STEM administrators, educators, and students.

In order to carry out this mission our activities include:

• Offering data-informed, evidence-based faculty development opportunities
• Disseminating best practices to increase a sense of belonging among those from historically underrepresented populations in STEM
• Providing role models of women and minority STEM professionals, scholars, and educators
• Opportunities to build alliances and strengthen mentorship across the UW System