Jedidah Isler: The Untapped Genius That Could Change Science for the Better | TED

Summary

In this powerful talk, the speaker reflects on the significance of intersections in both physical and personal realms. From the bustling streets of Paris to the stars in the cosmos, intersections foster growth, transformation, and the creation of new identities. The speaker, an astrophysicist and woman of color, shares her journey navigating the challenges of race, gender, and poverty in the pursuit of science. Emphasizing the importance of diversity in STEM, she highlights how those who live at the intersections are uniquely positioned to solve the world's most pressing issues. The talk encourages women of color to embrace their identities and realize their potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intersections in life are spaces of opportunity, where creativity and self-definition flourish.
• 🌍 Physical intersections like the Arc de Triomphe and Times Square, and historical ones like the Edmund Pettus Bridge, represent the convergence of people, ideologies, and struggles for justice.
• 💫 Stars are born and die at celestial intersections, illustrating how these transitions drive creation and change.
• 👩‍🔬 The speaker’s life has been shaped by intersections of race, gender, and academic pursuits, particularly in the field of astrophysics.
• 🌌 The speaker is both an astrophysicist and a woman of color, with her unique perspective fostering explosive breakthroughs in her field.
• 📚 Overcoming financial hardships, the speaker pursued her PhD through key programs like the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program and Yale University.
• 🙋‍♀️ Women of color in STEM face compounded racial and gender biases, as seen in the speaker’s own experiences of ostracization and discrimination.
• ⚡ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) requires the intersection of multiple disciplines to fully address global challenges.
• 🎓 The speaker’s journey underscores the importance of inclusion, urging young women of color to believe in their potential to succeed in STEM fields.
• 🚀 Dr. Claudia Alexander’s work as a NASA project scientist exemplifies the power of liminal people—those who thrive at the intersection of multiple identities and cultures.
• 🌍 Women of color in STEM are positioned to address urgent global issues, from educational inequities to climate change, with diverse perspectives driving innovation and solutions.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's story?

The main theme is the power and significance of intersectionality, particularly for women of color in STEM fields. The speaker emphasizes how their identity and experiences as a black woman in astrophysics shape their work and contributions.

What does the speaker mean by 'liminal space'?

Liminal space refers to the in-between or transitional space where new possibilities and identities emerge. The speaker describes how great things happen at these intersections of different identities and experiences.

How does the speaker relate their personal experiences to the broader themes of race, gender, and identity?

The speaker reflects on their personal journey through the intersection of race, gender, and their career in astrophysics. They highlight how these intersections have shaped their experiences, both in the struggles they faced and the breakthroughs they achieved.

What challenges did the speaker face during their academic journey?

The speaker faced financial struggles after their family fell apart, encountering barriers as a woman of color in STEM. They were also ostracized by some classmates during their PhD journey, experiencing racialized gender bias and mistaken identity.

How did the American Physical Society help the speaker on their academic journey?

The American Physical Society provided the speaker with a poster that inspired them to pursue a career in physics. They also directed the speaker to the Fisk-Vanderbilt University Bridge Program, which played a key role in their path to earning a PhD.

What role does intersectionality play in the STEM field?

Intersectionality is crucial in STEM because it acknowledges the complex, multifaceted identities and experiences of individuals. The speaker highlights how the combination of different identities brings fresh perspectives that drive innovation and problem-solving in STEM.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the concept of liminal excellence?

The speaker references Dr. Claudia Alexander, a black woman plasma physicist, as an example of liminal excellence. Dr. Alexander contributed significantly to NASA missions like the Rosetta and Galileo missions, blending technical expertise with her understanding of cultural identity.

Why does the speaker highlight the experiences of women of color in STEM?

The speaker highlights the experiences of women of color to underscore the unique challenges and perspectives they bring to STEM. Their intersectional identities allow them to approach problems and solutions in ways that others may not, enriching the scientific community.

What does the speaker hope to achieve through sharing their story?

The speaker hopes to inspire young women of color to pursue careers in STEM, showing them that they can be anything they aspire to be. They also aim to advocate for full inclusion and equal opportunity in STEM, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in solving global issues.

How does the speaker define the future of STEM innovation?

The speaker defines the future of STEM innovation as being rooted in collaboration and inclusion, where diverse identities and experiences are integrated into scientific inquiry. They argue that the most pressing issues, like climate change and genetic editing, require multifaceted solutions that only diverse teams can provide.