Chrystal A. S. Smith
I am a former National Science Foundation (NSF) program officer, Division for Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES), Directorate of STEM Education (EDU). I was the co-lead of Racial Equity in STEM Education. I was also assigned to the ADVANCE, EDU Core Research, and Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP).
I am a cultural anthropologist with expertise in diversity and broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). I have written several successful STEM education research proposal which have been funded by the EDU Core Research, National Science Foundation (NSF).
My STEM education research uses anthropological and sociological theories and methodologies to broaden our understanding of the challenges that women, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQPIA+ community and other underrepresented groups encounter in STEM higher education, and the STEM academia workplace. My research holds an anti-deficit perspective which focuses on the structural barriers including program culture that negatively impact these groups in STEM.
I am also an experienced evaluator. I have conducted mixed methods evaluations of several NSF-funded projects as well as state-funded programs.
If you are interested in retaining my services, please contact me at chrystal.smith@uconn.edu.
