What is the Basu Scholar Program?

Sreyashi Jhumki Basu

If you read the NARST emails (or if your advisor does and forwards them to you), then a call for applications may soon come your way, if it hasn't already, for the Jhumki Basu Scholars Program, which is offered through the Ethics and Equity (E&E) Committee. As a recipient of this award last year, I earnestly encourage you to consider applying for participation in this Program.

As a bit of background, the Jhumki Basu Program is funded by the Jhumki Basu Foundation (JBF), which was founded in honor of the science education research scholar Sreyashi Jhumki Basu. According to the JBF website, the mission of the program is to "carry her legacy forward and build on her vision and passion to achieve equity in science education" through sponsorship of programs that further the aims of democratic science education. In addition to supplying grants and scholarships, JBF works with schools, departments of education, and policy-makers.

A quote from Professor Basu can be found on the JBF website which summarizes her work:

Central to my work is the belief that a diversity of youth should gain expertise in scientific knowledge and learn to think logically, investigate original questions and innovate in ways that fulfill needs in their lives, community and world.

This mission of Professor Basu aligns well with that of the Equity and Ethics (E&E) Committee of NARST: The Equity and Ethics Committee will provide leadership and guidance to NARST on

issues of equity and ethics including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disabling conditions, sexual orientation, language, national origin, and religion.

Thus, both the JBF and E&E are committed to furthering democratic ideals through supporting research that addresses equitable participation by maginalized groups.

Is this a good fit for me?

So, you may be wondering, while this is all interesting, where does it fit in for YOU and whether or not you should consider applying for the Basu Scholars program. If you feel that your research is aligned with the missions of the JBF and E&E, don't hesitate.

When I received this email from my advisor suggesting I apply, I wasn't sure. I was interested in equity research and definitely saw myself headed in that direction as a future scholar, but I still didn't think I was quite good enough to participate. I assumed the selection committee would be looking for someone with much more experience and, frankly, more interesting research to share. But I was forgetting that this program is directed towards graduate students. They don't expect us to have changed the world with our research yet. They want to see vision, determination, and a track record of commitment to issues of equity. If you feel that you can show that, then you have a good shot of being selected.

You may also wonder--is it worth your time, aside from appearing as a line along your CV? I mean, you are busy, so even if the mission is laudable, is it worth it?

ABSOLUTELY.

You do receive a stipend to assist with expenses associated with attending the conference, but you also participate in the E&E pre-conference workshop where you engage in enriching conversations with top-tier professors undertaking work in ethics and equity. This provides a great platform for networking and thinking about your future work as interesting questions emerge through your conversations. This environment also facilitates networking and finding colleagues for future collaboration. Additionally, you'll be invited back to NARST the next year to share a new piece of your research in a special poster session. Altogether, more than worth the time to apply for the scholarship!