Our Story

In 2018, Reclaiming STEM was founded by Evelyn Valdez-Ward and Dr. Linh Anh Cat out of a frustration with science communication and science policy training spaces. That same year, Rowan Institute was founded by Dr. Sarah Myhre and Giuliana Isaksen, out of the desire to support STEM experts to engage in public leadership, education, and communication.

For Evelyn and Dr. Cat , they felt that their “experience in science communication and science policy training spaces didn't reflect the experience of scientists on the margins”. And, for founding board members of Rowan Institute Priya Shukla, Barbara Clabots, and Syris Valentine, there was a desire to see impactful communication and leadership training to uphold new norms and practices in scientific leadership.

After the inaugural workshop, Evelyn and Dr. Cat brought on Rob Ulrich and Tamara Marcus, and in 2019, Reclaiming STEM hosted workshops on both the west and east coasts. That same year, Rowan Institute trained 1,000 STEM professionals, across academic institutions and environmental organizations, in public leadership and science communication, with specific focus on climate justice and environmental change.

Both organizations bring a direct commitment to reparative, restorative, and just leadership in STEM; leadership that is unflinching in an analysis of power, in a commitment to true inclusion, and in the pursuit of a just and caring scientific enterprise. In short, both organizations are projects of solidarity and community care - and this similarity has brought these organizations together for transformation.

ReclaimingSTEM and Rowan Institute are merging, to form a new organization: ReclaimingSTEM Institute (RSI). This merger is both a step towards solidarity and mission-driven impact. And, it’s a strategic maneuver to build a stronger institutional base for our team together, to work together and support one another.

For our team at RSI, we believe that if we can build community, capacity, and power for and with scientists across diverse and historically marginalized communities, then we can change who leads the public enterprise of science and how they lead, in order to serve and protect the interests and needs of society.

Our mission together is to build leadership and communication skills with marginalized scientists, in order for scientists and scientific institutions to address, repair, and heal from historical and ongoing systems of oppression. And our vision is a future of diverse, justice-focused scientific leadership across scientific research, communication, policy-engagement, and advocacy. We view human rights, access, participation, authenticity, and equity as fundamental principles in scientific leadership.

Moving forward, RSI will be engaging in scientific communication and leadership, through workshops, lectures, publications, and awards. As well, we’ll be expanding to conduct research, policy analysis, and advocacy. As ever, we are so thankful and grateful for the community of scientists, practitioners, students, and public leaders we are surrounded by. Please support us by making a donation here to support this growth.