The Hanson Center conducts climate studies for departments and programs in STEM to advance our understanding and our practices of inclusive STEM.
As part of its mission to foster inclusive excellence in STEM, the Center partners with departments and programs to conduct climate studies that shed light on the student experience. These studies help these programs better understand how students perceive and navigate their academic environments—especially in relation to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Each climate study begins by “taking the temperature” of students through an anonymous survey that captures their insights, experiences, and sense of belonging. The Center analyses the results and reports the findings to both the faculty and students. Each department or program then develops an action plan based on the findings. By offering a structured, research-informed approach to understanding student climate, the Center helps departments celebrate what is working well while also identifying opportunities for growth. Importantly, these studies are tailored to the department’s unique context and are conducted in close collaboration with faculty.
This work is part of the Center’s broader commitment to advancing inclusive STEM education. To date, the Center has completed studies across multiple departments in the engineering and natural science divisions, and continues to expand this important work each year.
If your department or program is interested in partnering with the Center on a climate study, we welcome the opportunity to connect. Together, we can strengthen the learning environments that shape the next generation of scientists and engineers.