Towards a Fully Inclusive Mathematics Profession—One Year Later

Abstract

1) To help the mathematical community understand the historical role of the AMS in racial discrimination; (2) To consider and recommend actions addressing the impact of such discrimination to the AMS Council and Board of Trustees.Given the nature of the work, the two co-chairs, after consultations with the AMS President, chose as members of the Task Force a group of racially diverse mathematicians at a variety of institutions, who had leadership experience (including several current or past members of the AMS Council) and who would be able to conduct interviews with the sensitivity required.The Task Force reviewed AMS archives, talked with AMS staff, interviewed mathematician colleagues, and sought direct input from the wider mathematics community. Our work was assisted by math historian Michael Barany and by AMS staff, especially Abbe Herzig and Andrea Williams. We produced the report Towards a Fully Inclusive Mathematics Profession, released in March 2021, that documented AMS policies, practices, and actions that have had discriminatory impact and described ways that the mathematics profession remains unwelcoming, especially to mathematicians of color. We also cataloged more recent efforts by many in the profession and the AMS to become more welcoming, and we made several recommendations for ways the AMS can improve how it fulfills the part of its mission that advocates for "the full participation of all individuals."Since the report's release, we've heard a number of reactions from mathematician colleagues through direct conversation as well as on social media. These reflect the diversity of viewpoints within the ranks of the Society. Some feel the report does not go far enough to castigate