A planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will organize a virtual public workshop to examine the psychological factors that contribute to the persistent dearth of Black students in science, engineering, and medicine (SEM). The workshop will identify policies and practices that perpetuate those factors and lay a foundation of knowledge for others to more effectively engage on these issues. The workshop will focus on systemic solutions to address the major impediments to access and success for Black students and scholars in SEM. Major objectives of the workshop include:

1. Examine psychological barriers that contribute to decreased representation of Black students in SEM, including the chronic environmental stressors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and substance use and abuse as well as the racially insensitive educational barriers that Black youth face.
2. Explore solutions to overcoming negative stereotypes and systemic racism and biases that prevent Black students from pursuing careers in SEM.
3. Identify students’ experiences that lead to racial trauma and those that increase personal resilience for Black people in SEM programs and careers.
4. Assist stakeholders in moving beyond incremental interventions toward more systemic changes, including policy changes that can support Black students, scientists, engineers, and physicians, and in turn strengthen their academic and racial identity and enhance their mental health.

A rapporteur-authored workshop proceedings will be published