In anticipation of the 8th Annual Inclusion Symposium hosted by the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (KCGIP) on Friday, August 23, we had the pleasure of speaking with André Isaacs, the event's keynote speaker. Isaacs is an associate professor at the College of the Holy Cross and a passionate advocate for inclusivity in science. Known for his innovative use of pop culture and dance to engage students, particularly through his vibrant content on TikTok, Isaacs has become a powerful voice for diversity in STEM fields.
Isaacs will speak to KCGIP students and other symposium attendees about using their voices in their careers. In this conversation, he shares his insights on finding his voice as an educator, the importance of authenticity and the steps needed to drive real change in the scientific community.
Question: You've blended pop culture with education in a way that has really connected with students, especially through your TikTok presence. How do you think this approach can help bring more underrepresented groups into the scientific community?
Answer: I think it’s one of the key pieces that we’ve been missing. The way many of us educate in our classrooms is often limited by our past experiences and how we learned, which mirrors a culture that has been predominantly white for decades. Now that we have an increasing number of folks from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries learning science in the U.S., we have to start thinking about ways to connect science to people’s lived experiences. A lot of that involves culture change. By thinking about how this generation thinks and exists and connecting science to their lives, I think we’ll have a better opportunity to make it exciting for students.
Q: Such an inspiring approach with great potential for positive impact. As a Black and Queer scientist, can you share how you've been personally motivated to create a learning environment where all students, especially those who might feel underrepresented, feel valued and supported?
A: I try to integrate people’s identities throughout my course. For example, when I teach certain topics in organic chemistry, I like to highlight scientists from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to those areas, like Alice Ball, a Black woman who contributed to the cure for leprosy. It’s not just about bringing scientists with visible, minoritized identities to the forefront but also integrating those identities into problem sets. It’s also about using science to validate people’s experiences. For example, when we talk about cis and trans alkenes, how can we use that to validate people’s identities? I think it’s important to think critically about how we engage with the material in relation to the population we have in our classroom. I’ve faced challenges, like pushback from people who think my work amounts to indoctrination. I’ve had lots of threads and so forth. But the beauty of this work is that we’re inviting more people in, and that only benefits science.
Q: The theme of this year's symposium is “Using Your Voice: Intentional Inclusion.” From your perspective, what are some practical steps that educators and institutions can take to move beyond just talking about diversity and inclusion to creating real change in STEM fields?
A: What I’ve learned from interacting with this generation is that they value authenticity. Many times, we try to use the best practices in literature, but we don’t necessarily live them—we don’t do it authentically. I think that’s the piece that’s missing from a lot of educators. We also need to value the dissemination of scientific knowledge in new and creative ways. I think one thing we’re not doing well is pop science—using our unique voices to excite different populations on social media platforms. In doing so, we invite others in. Right now, the narrative is being set by non-scientists, and that can lead to misinformation and a growing anti-science faction. As scientists, we need to encourage young people to speak publicly about science to counter some of the narrative.
Q: As someone who has successfully used social media to promote your values, what advice might you offer to other educators who want to use these platforms to promote diversity and inclusivity?
A: Once again, I think people are looking for authenticity. People want to see someone they can relate to, and the goal isn’t to relate to everyone. The goal is to share your own unique way of thinking about the scientific topics that excite you, because that will come across to the viewers. If you share your approach to science with enthusiasm, the right group of people will be drawn to you. You’ll make a significant impact on broadening the participation of people who have historically been left behind. So, really, just dive in, be yourself. Some of the most successful people on social media are those who are just authentic.
Q: Looking to the future, what do you think are the next important steps we can take to advance diversity and inclusion in the scientific community? How can events like the Inclusion Symposium help us move in the right direction?
A: We’re offering people an opportunity to critically reflect on the ways they educate, mentor and support students from minoritized backgrounds. A lot of the time, students are left behind unintentionally, and symposia like this allow people to think about how they can work with students from different backgrounds and hear from people who are being successful despite the challenges they face. Seeing a successful person of color, immigrant, or queer person is great, but hearing how they navigate those challenges is important for students who have real fears about the environments they’re in and how to navigate those spaces.
Q: Could you give us a sneak peek into your keynote? What messages are you hoping to share with our audience?
A: I hope to share that as educators, we really need to rethink how we educate. To do that, we need to become vulnerable, look at our student population and learn from them. How are they thinking? What excites them? And how can we incorporate those things into our courses? It’s also about critical self-reflection—looking back at how we’ve historically educated, what some of the challenges have been, and how we can change that trajectory to improve for the next 20-30 years of students.
Q: Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Your work is truly inspiring, and I know our audience will gain a lot from your keynote at the Inclusion Symposium. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the event!
A: Thank you! I’m very excited to be there.
The 8th Annual Inclusion Symposium is scheduled for Friday, August 23. André Isaacs' keynote will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be available via livestream in the Beetham Seminar room. For more information or inquiries, please contact us at kcgip@uoregon.edu