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 expanded it in 2025, and are growing it further in 2026.

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 Leaders

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 has 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.

Denise-Margaret Thompson

Dr. Denise-Margaret Thompson is a professor and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in teaching, technology innovation and commercialization, program management, and research. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum, Volunteer Coordinator of the Caribbean Fellowship of Evangelical Students Graduate and Faculty Ministries (CARIFES-GFM), and past Director of the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-Operative Studies. Dr. Thompson currently serves as the Associate Director of Black Scholars and Professionals, a ministry within InterVarsity/USA.

Ciara Reyes-Ton

Dr. Ciara Reyes-Ton is a scientist with a heart for worship. She is a science teacher and communicator as well as a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. She is passionate about working with diverse audiences, from the students she teaches to the faith communities she has served through both her science and her music.

Hannah Eagleson

Dr. Hannah Eagleson is Director of Partnership and Innovation with the American Scientific Affiliation. She works with ASA early career programming.

Overview:

Join us for a retreat connecting graduate students, postdocs, & early career individuals who are underrepresented in science fields. 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 23 and continue until the opening conference dinner on Friday July 24. We will be onsite at the ASA 2026 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 27.

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 23 through lunch on Friday July 24.

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. 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) - $300
• Meals & Lodging (75% scholarship) - $150
• Travel expenses–covered for up to $700

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 2026: 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 Wenham, MA, north of Boston, in July 2026. 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 a 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.

Questions: Please contact Hannah Eagleson at hannah@asa3.org.