Dr. Chrystal A. S. Smith is a former National Science Foundation (NSF) program officer, Division for Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES), Directorate of STEM Education (EDU). She was the co-lead of Racial Equity in STEM Education. She was also assigned to the ADVANCE, EDU Core Research, and Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP).

Dr. Smith is a cultural anthropologist with expertise in diversity and broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her 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 K-12 STEM education, STEM higher education, and the STEM workplace. She holds an anti-deficit perspective which focuses on the structural barriers including program culture that negatively impact these groups in STEM. Her STEM education research has been funded by the EDU Core Research, National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Smith is also an experience evaluator. She has evaluated 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.