The Impacts of the Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate Computational Chemistry on the Careers of Women in Computational Chemistry

Abstract

The Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate Computational Chemistry (MERCURY) has supported a diverse group of faculty and students for over 20 years by providing computational resources as well as networking opportunities and professional support. The consortium comprises 38 faculty (42% women) at 34 different institutions, who have trained nearly 900 undergraduate students, more than two-thirds of whom identify as women and one-quarter identify as students of color. MERCURY provides a model for the support necessary for faculty to achieve professional advancement and career satisfaction. The range of experiences and expertise of the consortium members provides excellent networking opportunities that allow MERCURY faculty to support each other’s teaching, research, and service needs, including generating meaningful scientific advancements and outcomes with undergraduate researchers as well as being leaders at the departmental, institutional, and national levels. While all MERCURY faculty benefit from these supports, the disproportionate number of women in the consortium, relative to their representation in computational sciences generally, produces a sizable impact on advancing women in the computational sciences. In this report, the women of MERCURY share how the consortium has benefited their careers and the careers of their students.

Celebrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

“…As editors we are committed to foster an environment inclusive of all identities, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, geographical location, and institutional prestige. These values are reverberated by one Article, two ViewPoint, and one Perspective articles taking up persistent issues to be overcome , but also highlighting successful initiatives for advancing the careers of female scientists in chemistry. , Cascella and Soares examined the status of bias based on gender identity and geographic affiliation in academia and scholarly publication, providing recommendations for the greater inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ scientific community and scientists located outside major geographical hubs of science . It also underlined the urgent need for research on these biases that enables the creation and implementation of effective institutional policies for change.…”

“…The initiative not only advanced the careers of the faculty but led to the implementation of institutional changes. Anderson and coauthors recounted how the Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate Computational Chemistry (MERCURY) benefitted the faculty careers from 34 predominantly undergraduate institutions, who have trained nearly 900 undergraduate students identifying themselves mostly as females and students of color . Through peer networks, MERCURY catalyzed the mentoring and guidance on career advancement and overcoming institutional challenges and provided Computational Resources and System Administrative Support and opportunities for scientific collaboration and inspiration.…”

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Research Consortium in Undergraduate Computational Chemistry (MERCURY) benefitted the faculty careers from 34 predominantly undergraduate institutions, who have trained nearly 900 undergraduate students identifying themselves mostly as females and students of color. 59 Through peer networks, MERCURY catalyzed the mentoring and guidance on career advancement and overcoming institutional challenges and provided Computational Resources and System Administrative Support and opportunities for scientific collaboration and inspiration.We hope that this special issue not only highlights the important contributions of several scientists supporting women in chemistry but also acts as inspiration for advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect for the past, present, and new generations of scientists. We sincerely thank the authors, reviewers, and all involved for their contributions that have made this special issue a reality and for supporting and advancing Women in Chemistry.

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