Pre-Conference Retreat for Underrepresented Graduate Students/Postdocs/Early Career Individuals
What does it mean to bring your whole identity to your work in
science as you grow your early career? Explore that question with other
people of color who share a love for science and for Christ. Join the
ASA Pre-Retreat for Underrepresented Graduate Students and Early Career
Professionals. We launched this retreat in 2024, and we’re expanding it
in 2025.
Unfortunately, science has a history of excluding people of color.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, ASA featured a film showing of “Science as
Mastery: A Story about Race and Power,” a documentary from the AAAS
which chronicles some of this history. ASA is committed to addressing
this historic injustice and to investing in underrepresented scientists
who will be a central part of the future of science and faith. With
generous grant support from The David and Carol Myers Foundation, ASA
will host a retreat for underrepresented scientists who are graduate
students, postdocs, or early career professionals (within the first 3
years from finishing your most recent degree). Medical students and
medical residents are included, as are faculty members within 3 years
of their most recent degree.
Join us to grow community with colleagues and mentors who share
your experience, and reflect on bringing different aspects of your
identity together.
Retreat Leader
Christina J. Cross
Associate Professor of Sociology
Harvard University
Dr. Christina J. Cross is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Harvard
University. Her research examines the family’s role in shaping
individuals’ life chances and how its impact differs by their
structural position in society. Her forthcoming book, with Harvard
University Press, reveals the hidden inequalities that exist between
children who grow up in two-parent families and what we can do to
better support equality of opportunity for the next generation. Her
research been supported by organizations including the Russell Sage
Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, the National Science Foundation,
and the Ford Foundation, and it has received awards from leading
sociological, demographic, and family science organizations. Cross
holds a PhD in Public Policy and Sociology from the University of
Michigan.
Dr. Denise-Margaret Thompson led the 2024 retreat and is advising the
2025 & 2026 retreats. She will not be able to attend the 2025 retreat
in person due to other leadership commitments, but she is active in
growing community connections and followup opportunities for retreat
participants.
Dr. Hannah Eagleson will provide logistical
support and connections to other ASA early career programming.
Overview:
Join us for a retreat connecting graduate students, postdocs, & early
career individuals who are underrepresented in science fields. Led
by Dr. Christina J. Cross, this retreat will provide space to
develop community, and to hear from leaders who share your faith and
your experience as an underrepresented professional in science.
When & Where: Retreat programming will begin with dinner on Thursday
July 17 and continue until the opening conference dinner on Friday July
18. We will be onsite at the ASA 2025 conference facility.
Please Note that we may be able to arrange an optional Monday afternoon
field trip for retreat attendees. You may wish to arrange travel plans
that allow extra time after the conference concludes at noon on Monday
July 21.
Details:
Those accepted to the retreat will be eligible for up to $700 in
reimbursement of travel expenses. Travel expenses must be in economical
categories such as basic flight fare. Retreat lodging & meals will be
covered from dinner on Thursday July 17 through lunch on Friday July
18.
As a non-profit, being good stewards of our resources, the ASA policy
is to provide reimbursement for economical travel. Economical travel
includes the following: Airfare for economy class only; checked bags
fees; car rental for economy vehicles only (no add on optional items);
Uber/Lyft when not significantly more than public transportation and
less than a taxi cab. The ASA does not reimburse for airline insurance
or car rental insurance.
Important:
Retreat Participants are also eligible for 50% scholarships
on meals and lodging for the entire conference with a short, separate
student/early career conference scholarship application. You may also
wish to submit a talk or poster abstract to showcase your work and
become eligible for a 75% scholarship on meals & lodging (if the
abstract is accepted).
Estimated Conference Costs:
Based on previous years, we expect costs to be similar to these, although
we are waiting on a few details before we can provide exact final pricing.
- Registration - Free
- Meals & Lodging (50% scholarship) - $260
- Meals & Lodging (75% scholarship) - $130
- Plus any travel expenses.
Forms for reimbursement will be distributed at the meeting, and
reimbursements will be mailed shortly after the meeting.
Eligibility:
Career Stage: Graduate Student, Postdoc, or Early Career
Professional (within first 3 years of most recent degree), including
Medical Students & Residents
Student/Early Career Membership in the ASA:
Join here for free. You must be a
student/early career member of ASA to join this retreat. This category
includes graduate students, postdocs, medical students, medical
residents, and individuals who have finished their most recent degree
within the past 3 years.
Participation in ASA 2025: This retreat is designed as
complementary to the annual meeting as a whole, so we ask that
participants register and stay for the whole conference through Monday
at 12 pm.
Residency & Visa Status: Attendees must be resident in the US or
Canada and have visa status by the time of retreat application allowing
travel to Lakewood, CO, in July 2025. For this retreat, we do not
presently have the capacity to support travel costs or visa applications
beyond the US and Canada.
Definition of Underrepresented: Applicants identify with at least
one of the following US Census Categories of race, ethnicity, and/or
culture (or equivalent categories in language appropriate to Canada
etc.)
- Of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (ethnicity)
- Black or African American
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Note: We have chosen US Census definitions as an agreed upon
standard in the country where the conference is taking place. If you use
different language for your identity, we have also provided a place on
the form to share your preferred language.
To apply, fill out the form below. If you are accepted, we will
send you further information on how to register for the retreat & ASA
2025.
Important Note: If you also want to apply for additional funding
for the meeting itself, you can do so here.
Questions: Please contact Hannah Eagleson at hannah@asa3.org.
