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STEM Librarian Awarded an American Libraries Association Carnegie-Whitney Grant

Dr. Heidi Blackburn, STEM Librarian, was awarded an American Libraries Association Carnegie-Whitney grant for her project entitled, "Women in STEM in Higher Education Bibliography," an online bibliography covering the recruitment and retention of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in the United States. 

  • contact: Dr. Heidi Blackburn, STEM Librarian - Research & Instruction Services
  • email: hblackburn@unomaha.edu
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The project builds on Dr. Blackburn’s recent work “The Status of Women in STEM in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature 2007-2017” (2017). In addition to the creation of a public, online resource, the grant provided a student research assistant, whose role was to expand the database using the digital platform LibGuides, as well as travel stipends for presenting the project outcomes. Dr. Blackburn will be presenting on her project at the Women Advance I.T. conference in Lincoln, NE on October 2, 2018.

Inspiration for Blackburn’s project grew from the spotlight on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) P-12 education in recent years and the rise of studies in STEM ranging from the recruitment and retention of women students to the workplace climate of women faculty and staff.

With the word “stem” having multiple meanings across various scientific disciplines (example: stem cell, plant stem, STEM education) it can be very difficult to search online for these timely and important topics. Previously, this information was not readily available in one location for easy access of use for reports, press releases, curriculum, grants, and other publications needing documentation. Dr. Blackburn’s creation of an online research guide and bibliography provides easy access for students, faculty, staff, researchers, administrators, and public servants that support women in STEM in higher education.

Currently, the bibliography stands at 1,050 citations in length and new publications are added as they are published. Items include books, peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, theses, and book chapters covering a spectrum of topics. Themes include the recruitment and retention of women, barriers such as stereotypes and biases, and identity issues such as sense of belonging, self-concept and success in STEM fields. The “Women in STEM in Higher Education” research guide, maintained by UNO Libraries, also covers topics such as, careers, faculty work-life balance, and campus leadership.