The ARC Network Moves to WEPAN

WASHINGTON, DC, February 2, 2021 – The Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) announces that it will be the new organizational home for the ADVANCE Resource and Coordination (ARC) Network.

“As an organization dedicated to leveraging research and best practices to foster an environment of equity and inclusion in engineering, WEPAN is well positioned to build on the past successes of the ARC Network while also supporting the WEPAN mission and vision”, says Dr. Ershela Sims, WEPAN Executive Director. “As we continue work on our strategic focus of changing the culture of the field of engineering, the alignment and synergy with the ARC Network makes us even more hopeful for reaching systemic equity in STEM.”

Funded by a multiyear grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2017, the ARC Network seeks to achieve intersectional gender equity for faculty in higher education science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The ARC Network draws on the efforts of ADVANCE, the NSF’s program addressing systemic inequities in academic STEM, and produces new perspectives, methods and interventions with an intersectional, intentional and inclusive lens. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) served as the previous home organization for the grant.

“AWIS is pleased to have served as the home of the ARC Network and to have helped it reach its current stage,” says Sandy Robert, AWIS CEO. “We celebrate the success that the ARC Network has achieved to date, we are excited about the future of the program and we are open to opportunities for continued affiliation.”

The ARC Network’s accomplishments thus far include 1) initiating the Virtual Visiting Scholars program – now in its third cohort, in which select scholars are supported in completing meta-analyses of research on topics central to equity in STEM; 2) developing  an Online Resource Library on Mendeley housing over 2,000 curated resources on equity in STEM; 3) launching a webinar series centered on ensuring equity in institutional decision-making in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and 4) hosting key convenings, such as the Equity in STEM Community Convening and the Emerging Research Workshop on Identity-based Harassment . The ARC Network also published in various outlets on equity in STEM.

“I’m proud of all that the ARC Network team has accomplished during its time at AWIS,” says Dr. Heather Metcalf, principal investigator for the ARC Network, who will join WEPAN as Director of Research and Constituent Relations. “This strong foundation sets the stage for continued success as we move to WEPAN. We look forward to celebrating the 20th anniversary of ADVANCE this year from our new organizational home and to supporting the WEPAN mission and goals.”

During the transition, anyone interested in ARC Network can visit equityinstem.org.

About the ARC Network: Funded by the National Science Foundation ADVANCE program, Award HRD-1740860, the ARC Network seeks to achieve gender equity for faculty in higher education science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. As the STEM equity brain trust, the ARC Network recognizes the achievements made so far while producing new perspectives, methods and interventions with an intersectional, intentional and inclusive lens. Learn more about the ARC Network at https://www.equityinstem.org and on social media using #EquityInSTEM.

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About WEPAN: WEPAN is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1990. Recognized as the leading champion in North America for leveraging research and best practices to propel the inclusion of women in the field of engineering, WEPAN advocates to fully embrace diversity, equity and inclusion to meet the demands of today’s innovation and performance-driven business culture. Dedicated to advancing cultures of inclusion and diversity in engineering higher education and workplaces, WEPAN connects people, research, and practice to increase participation, retention and success of women and other under-represented groups in engineering from college to executive leadership. To learn more, visit www.wepan.org.

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‍About AWIS: The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a global network with 80 grassroots chapters and affiliates connecting more than 100,000 professionals in STEM with members, allies and supporters worldwide. Founded in 1971, AWIS has been the leading advocate for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. We are dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. To learn more, visit www.awis.org and @awisnational.