School of Physics Colloquium Series: Dr. Rachel Ivie, American Institute of Physics

The number of physics PhDs earned in 2012 reached an all-time high of more than 1700 doctorates, and the number of physics bachelor’s degrees doubled between 1999 and 2013. However, the recession of 2008 continues to have effects on the number of physics faculty hired. In addition, a closer examination of the statistics for under-represented groups in physics reveals progress on some fronts, with little or no progress in other areas. Although the physics community commonly emphasizes increasing the numbers of women and minorities as a solution to the “diversity problem,” new data show that inequities exist in areas that have real impact on the careers of under-represented physicists.