Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2020 -

Editors McGee and Robinson (both, Vanderbilt Univ.) deserve praise for producing a book that is both timely and necessary. Whereas another recent book on a parallel theme, Marybeth Gasman's Making Black Scientists (CH, May'20, 57-3032), focuses exclusively on successful STEM education of black college students using a programmatic and institutional approach, McGee and Robinson here take an intersectional and cultural approach, looking at how race and gender dynamically interact in STEM fields and scenarios. The editors have organized the text into three main sections: "The Structural Dynamics of STEM," "The Impact of Race and Gender on Scholars of Color in STEM," and "The Way Forward for Students, Faculty and Institutions: Strategies for STEM Success." Unsurprisingly, each chapter concludes with recommendations for implementation. The chapter narratives cover a range of topics, from systemic racism in post-secondary STEM education to the experiences of African Americans in the K-12 system. This collection of articles, many including first-person accounts, reflects the experiences of women and people of color as they negotiate entry to STEM fields. As such, it is a much-needed contribution to the literature, a book that should be required reading for STEM faculty and administrators especially at predominantly white institutions who truly want to make their departments and universities more inclusive.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.