“The vision of NSF INCLUDES is to catalyze the STEM enterprise to work collaboratively for inclusive change,
resulting in a STEM workforce that reflects the population of the Nation.”
─ NSF INCLUDES Report to the Nation, 2020
One of 10 Big Ideas to Change the Future
Launched in 2016, NSF INCLUDES is one of the National Science Foundation’s 10 Big Ideas, a comprehensive national initiative to enhance U.S. leadership in discoveries and innovation by changing systems in education and workforce pathways.
NSF INCLUDES positions the United States at the cutting edge of global science and engineering leadership by encouraging talent from all parts of our society—African Americans, Hispanics, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities, women and girls, and persons from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds—to choose and thrive in STEM education and careers. Since 2018, Equal Measure along with seven other partner organizations has helped to serve and develop the national Network carrying out the vision of NSF INCLUDES.
Broadening Participation in STEM Through Collective Efforts to Change Inequitable Systems
To broaden participation, many inequitable systems and biases that create barriers to individual Americans achieving their full potential in STEM – which are ingrained in K-12 education, informal STEM activities, higher education, pedagogy and curriculum development, and career pathways and more ─ must be addressed and changed.
NSF INCLUDES funds, supports, and connects a broad range of networks and alliances dedicated to broadening participation. The funded networks and alliances include First2 Network, a West Virginia-based organization that seeks to improve STEM persistence among rural, first-generation, and other underrepresented college students; STEM OPS, which provides STEM opportunities in prison settings;CAHSI (Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions); SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists) Islands Alliance; and many more.
NSF INCLUDES Report to the Nation 2020
Forging a National Network
Building on the success of initial multi-organizational pilots in 2016 and 2017, the NSF INCLUDES National Network is composed of leaders and faculty from academic institutions, community and professional organizations, other NSF-funded programs, foundations, businesses, government agencies, and alliances of similarly-oriented organizations and practitioners, in addition to the NSF-funded networks and alliances.
Now in its third year, the National Network forges cross-sector partnerships, disseminates needed resources, and strengthens capacity to create educational and career opportunities for underrepresented students on a national scale. The Network fosters collaboration through the NSF-developed 5 elements of collaborative infrastructure: Shared Vision; Partnerships; Goals and Metrics; Leadership and Communication; and Expansion, Sustainability, and Scale. Collaborative infrastructure helps build strong and flexible networks, building a powerful, sustainable movement that will accelerate the inclusion and advancement of traditionally underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
NSF INCLUDES Five Elements of Collaborative Infrastructure
A Coordination Hub for Learning, Community-Building, and Connecting
The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub serves the National Network. The Hub provides an infrastructure that balances expertise in broadening participation in STEM with technical knowledge about network engagement and expansion, measurement, research, evaluation, and communications. Through a robust online community, resource sharing, peer connection, developing shared measures, and promoting the work and successes of Network members, the Hub helps strengthen a common vision and position members for increased impact.
Equal Measure, along with SRI Education, the Education Development Center (EDC), QEM, Westat, ORS Impact, and Digital Promise, leads and manages the Coordination Hub. Equal Measure’s role in the Hub is to contribute expertise in communications and research, especially in the context of collective impact initiatives and systems change. We lead the Communications task area, and team members participate in Research and Shared Measures task areas. Recently, Equal Measure’s Matthew Closter, Senior Consultant, discussed what we’ve learned as part of this national-scale effort to broaden participation in STEM.
The organization of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub
Hub Products and Connections Build Knowledge
The Hub manages the National Network’s online community and produces webinars, reports, and resources, hosts virtual chats and online discussions, building connections, shared knowledge, and capacity across the Network. It manages a popular Twitter account (@NSFINCLUDESHub), publishes a well-trafficked blog series, and recently launched a refreshed website: includesnetwork.org. In 2021, the Hub will launch a podcast series hosted by one of the project’s co-PIs, QEM president and noted Howard University professor Dr. Ivory A. Toldson.
Research briefs are produced in collaboration with Network members and explore a broad range of topics drawing on the expertise of Network members and members of the Hub management team. Recent brief topics include: Broadening Participation in STEM: Evidence-based Strategies for Improving Equity and Inclusion of Individuals in Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups; Inclusivity and Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities in STEM; and Collaborative Change Strategies in the NSF INCLUDES National Network.
Recent resources released for the NSF INCLUDES community are available here, with a full library of resources available to members. Joining the NSF INCLUDES online community is open to any individuals or organizations engaged in broadening participation in STEM education and careers, and provides access to the 2000+ members through a member directory, a discussion forum, and many other benefits.
Equal Measure Contributes to Accelerating Urgent Change
Working with NSF INCLUDES is an honor for Equal Measure, allowing us to contribute our expertise in communications, research, collective impact, and systems change to a long-term, complex, and exciting effort to accelerate real change.
NSF INCLUDES aligns with other Equal Measure work aimed at expanding participation in STEM careers and education, including completed projects like the Helmsley Charitable Trust-funded STEM Active Learning Networks, as well as our current work with the GSK Foundation’s Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective.
At a time when the centrality of America’s leadership in science and innovation to a peaceful and prosperous future has never been clearer, including the potential of all Americans in that effort is imperative. Equal Measure is very proud of our contributions to NSF INCLUDES’ multi-year effort to dismantle inequitable systems in STEM, and scale what works as a cornerstone of a critical national agenda.
