A more diverse and inclusive workplace benefits everyone—individual scientists and engineers, entire organizations, and the materials science and engineering profession as a whole. That’s why TMS has made it a priority to create opportunities for learning and sharing knowledge and experiences in advancing diversity in impactful ways, while providing information and resources that can be applied in the workplace or everyday life. Whether you wish to connect with others addressing the same issues you are, access free online resources or find inspiration to continue the work, TMS can help.
TMS Diversity Statement
The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) is committed to advancing diversity in the minerals, metals, and materials professions, and to promoting an inclusive professional culture that welcomes and engages all who seek to contribute to the field. TMS recognizes that a diverse minerals, metals, and materials workforce is critical to ensuring that all viewpoints, perspectives, and talents are brought to bear in addressing complex science and engineering challenges. To build and nurture this diverse professional community, TMS welcomes and actively engages the participation of underrepresented groups in all of its initiatives and endeavors.
TMS Position on Racial Justice for African Americans in the U.S.
TMS supports the identification and correction of policies, systems and any operational standards in U.S. academic, government or industrial institutions that negatively and disproportionately impact any racial group. The events of 2020 have highlighted significant opportunities still remain to address generational legacies of racial injustice and disadvantage still faced by African-Americans today. Read the Position Statement.
TMS Statement and Actions Regarding Social Justice
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, TMS leaders ask members for input on additional actions TMS can take to create a truly equitable community where all are treated with respect, and all can thrive. Read the full letter.
Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit and Report
TMS offers the following free resources related to diversity and inclusion in the minerals, metals, and materials professions:
Meetings
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Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions 4 (DMMM4)
Co-located with the TMS2022 Annual Meeting & Exhibition
March 2-3, 2022 • Anaheim, California, USA
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Broadening Participation in the Materials Science and Engineering Profession Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Held with MS&T20 Virtual, part of the Materials Science & Technology conference series
November 4, 2020 • Online Event
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Diversity in STEM and Best Practices to Improve it
A TMS 2019 Annual Meeting & Exhibition Symposium
March 10–14, 2019 • Henry B. González Convention Center • San Antonio, Texas
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Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions 3 (DMMM3)
July 23–24, 2018 • University of California, Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, California, USA
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Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions 2 (DMMM2)
July 25–26, 2016 • Northwestern University • Evanston, Illinois
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The First TMS Summit on Creating and Sustaining Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions (DMMM1)
July 29-31, 2014 • National Academy of Sciences Building • Washington, D.C.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The TMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee seeks to advance TMS's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the minerals, metals, and materials science and engineering fields. It accomplishes this by developing TMS programs, initiatives, and activities that address the professional needs and aspirations of underrepresented persons actively pursuing a career in minerals, metals, and materials science and engineering.
Learn more about the TMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Awards
Ellen Swallow Richards Diversity Award
This award recognizes an individual, who in the remarkable pioneering spirit of Ellen Swallow Richards, has helped or inspired others to overcome personal, professional, educational, cultural, or institutional adversity to pursue a career in minerals, metals, and/or materials.
Frank Crossley Diversity Award
This award recognizes an individual who has personally overcome personal, professional, educational, cultural, or institutional adversity to pursue a career in minerals, metals, and/or materials.
Background Reading
This selection of articles published in JOM: The Magazine, the member journal of TMS, provides some background on the Society’s progress on diversity issues, as well as interesting profiles on both current and historical pioneers in the field.
TMS Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee 2021 JOM Series
In its third year, this thematic group of articles from the TMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee focused on best practices and creates awareness around areas of diversity that can often remain hidden. The five articles, published in September 2021, are:
- “Highlighting Best Practices in Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Civility in STEM: Part II,” by Jenifer S. (Warner) Locke
- “Recommendations to Mitigate and Reduce Perceived Implicit Bias at TMS,” by Megan J. Cordill
- “Stairway to STEM: Providing Resources for Autistic Students/Students on the Autism Spectrum,” Natasha Vermaak and Mary Ellen Gardiner
- “Materials Goals Towards Equity Along the STEM and LGBTQIA+ Spectra,” by Ben Britton, Jennifer Carter, Matthew Korey, and Liz Roccoforte
- “Reflections from a Male Engineering Student Ally, His Professor, and His Advisor,” by Jenifer (Warner) Locke, Jackson Pope, and Lisa M. Abrams
TMS Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee 2020 JOM Series
This second thematic group of articles from the TMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee was published in September 2020 and highlighted data and best practices on efforts to improve representation and retention of minorities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) community. The five articles are:
TMS Diversity Committee 2019 JOM Series
This first thematic group of articles from the TMS Diversity Committee was published in July 2019 and provided a preview of key issues and potential solutions that can be implemented within the TMS community and materials science and engineering professions. The five articles are:
TMS Education Committee 2021 JOM Series
This series of three articles from the TMS Education Committee, published in August 2021, explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected materials science and engineering students and faculty over the academic year.
TMS Education Committee 2020 JOM Series
This series of four articles from the TMS Education Committee, published in August 2020, addresses STEM education issues at critical transition points in students’ careers, with a focus on underrepresented minorities.
"The TMS Fellow Nomination Process: Ensuring a More Complete Picture of Professional Excellence" by David DeYoung and Kevin Hemker
Being elected a TMS Fellow is the highest honor that the Society confers, and the TMS Board of Directors has spent the last year looking at how best to ensure that this pinnacle achievement is fully inclusive and that recipients of this honor accurately represent the diversity of our Society.
"Diversity Summit Continues Progress on Solutions" by Lynne Robinson
This overview of the 2nd Summit on Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions (DMMM2) outlines the event’s discussion themes and outcomes, shares personal reflections from summit attendees on the impact of the meeting, and presents the results of a Diversity Awareness and Myth-Busting quiz conducted by the TMS Diversity Committee.
"Frank Crossley: A Man of Mettle" by Lynne Robinson
The fourth installment in the "Pioneers in Diversity" series from JOM, this article looks at the life and career of Frank Crossley, the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering.
"Constance Tipper Cracks the Case of the Liberty Ships" by Kelly Zappas
The third installment in the "Pioneers in Diversity" series from JOM, this article looks at the career of Constance Tipper, the Cambridge University metallurgist who made a significant contribution to her country's war effort during World War II.
"Martha Goodway: How History Gets Made" by Lynne Robinson
The second installment in the "Pioneers in Diversity" series from JOM, this article looks at Martha Goodway, an archaeometallurgist for the Smithsonian Institution who was one of only 19 women to graduate from MIT in 1957. Published in September 2015 JOM.
"TMS Measures Progress on Diversity and Inclusion" by Lynne Robinson
This article provides a snapshot of TMS's membership, by presenting statistics on members' gender, ethnicity, and nationality. Published in May 2015 JOM.
"A Crystal Clear Vision: Celebrating the Multi-Faceted Legacy of Kathleen Lonsdale" by Lynne Robinson
The first installment in the "Pioneers in Diversity" series from JOM, this article looks at one of the early pioneers in establishing the science of x-ray crystallography. Published in January 2015 JOM.
"DMMM1 Builds on the Strength in Diversity" by Jennifer L.W. Carter, Amber L. Genau, Judy Schneider, Kinga Unocic, Clarissa A. Yablinsky, and Lynne Robinson
A review of the inaugural TMS summit on Diversity in the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions (DMMM1), this article looks at the event through the eyes of several event participants. Published in January 2015 JOM.
"Viola Acoff: Winner of First TMS Diversity Award" by Lynne Robinson
This profile, part of JOM's popular "Meet a Member" article series, looks at the life and work of the University of Alabama's Viola Acoff. Published in June 2014 JOM.
"Ellen Swallow Richards: The Most Influential Scientist You Probably Never Heard Of (Until Now)" by Lynne Robinson
Meet Ellen Swallow Richards, the first U.S. woman to be accepted to a college of science and technology and the first female member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum engineers (AIME—TMS’s parent society). Published in January 2014 JOM.
"United in Our Differences: Changing the Face of MSE" by Lynne Robinson
This extensive feature article from the June 2013 issue of JOM profiles 24 women working around the world in fields related to minerals, metals, and materials science and engineering. Published in July 2013 JOM.
"Planting the Seeds of Diversity" by Elizabeth Holm
Study after study shows that the diverse workplace is the most resilient, flexible, and productive. 2013 TMS President Elizabeth Holm of Carnegie Mellon University discusses why diversity is important to our community. Published in July 2013 JOM.