Funding Cuts from Trump Administration Force End of University of Hawaiʻi’s Empowering Geosciences Program for Women

A recent program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, designed to boost career opportunities for women in geosciences, has been abruptly halted due to funding cuts. Barbara Bruno, a faculty member and project lead at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, received a notice to shut down operations for the initiative that relied on federal support from the National Science Foundation.

This grant, close to $200,000, was critical for professional development activities and outreach projects aimed at inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals. Bruno highlighted that the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology is the biggest source of geoscience graduates in the state. Many alumni have important roles, from monitoring volcanic activities to managing water resources.

Bruno pointed out that cutting this program would disproportionately affect women. Studies show that women often leave STEM fields at higher rates than men. Programs like these are essential to retaining talent. According to a report from the National Science Foundation, women make up only about 28% of the STEM workforce, indicating a significant gender gap that needs addressing.

The Catalyst Awards for Science Advancement, funded by the grant, had a dual goal: to engage youth in STEM and support current students and early-career scientists with professional development. This included mini-grants for attending conferences, workshops, and fieldwork. Projects funded had positively impacted the community, with programs teaching middle school educators about ocean sciences and engaging high school students in deep-sea ecology projects.

Bruno also mentioned that not only was her salary affected, but also that of a graduate student from Palau studying corals. This loss threatens ongoing research and future collaborations.

In a further effort to address the funding cuts, Hawaii’s Attorney General, Anne Lopez, alongside 15 other state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit to protect vital National Science Foundation programs. The goal is to ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in STEM.

While the program’s future looks bleak, Bruno is actively seeking alternative funding sources. The termination of these initiatives serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing STEM education and gender equity. As these issues come to light, conversations about the importance of support systems in education—especially for women and minorities—are becoming increasingly vital.



Source link

Barbara Bruno,CASA,Catalyst Awards for Science Advancement,federal funding cuts,national science foundation,NSF,School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology,SOEST,Trump Administration cuts,University of Hawaii,University of Hawaii at Manoa,Women in STEM,