Library Guides: Diverse STEM Reading: a Layer Cake of Problems: Works of fiction

Works of Fiction (and Science-Fiction)

The original focus of this guide was non-fiction accounts about, or authored by, STEM professionals who are not CIS, straight, white men. However, works of fiction that depict a more diverse STEM reality and those based on historical figures and events are valuable sources of inspiration and learning even if they take artistic liberties with history and reality.

Sadly, the majority of fiction films and books that depict more diverse STEM stories and role models are still often centered on white women or white men. Two recent articles about the fiction book industry are provided below as reference for information about the current state of fiction book industry.

SLATE: Deesha Philyaw profile: How the Secret Lives of Church Ladies author got published
Her debut book nearly swept this year’s literary awards. Why didn’t publishers want it?
Published 2021-05-17
The Guardian: How women conquered the world of fiction
Female novelists have captured the literary zeitgeist, with more buzz, prizes and bestsellers than men. But is this cultural shift something to celebrate or rectify?"
Published 2021-05-16

NOTE: Because the ISU Library is an academic library its collection of fiction and science fiction is not as robust as its non-fiction collection. For that reason some of the links of this page do not go to the catalog but instead take you to information about the item.

Annihilation
Publication Date: 2018
Not Available from the ISU Library :-(
An all woman team signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.
Arrival
Call Number: DVD 007 809
Publication Date: 2017
When mysterious spacecraft touch down around the world, a team, including linguist Louise Banks, is brought together to investigate. As humankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers, and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.
Black Panther
Call Number: DVD 008 047
Publication Date: 2018
Come for the super heroes but stay for Shuri, who is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming sequel.
Contact
Call Number: DVD 000 104
Publication Date: 1997
Astronomer Dr. Ellie Arroway receives an encrypted message, apparently from a solar system many light-years away.
Contagion
Call Number: DVD 005 679
Publication Date: 2011
NOTE: maybe not the best choice given our current COVID-19 experience.
Ghostbusters
Publication Date: 2016
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Star Trek: pretty much every TV series
Publication Date: 1979 - Present
Not Available from the ISU Library :-(
Pretty much every Star Trek TV series has good STEM representation given the age it was made in. From black engineers and space station commanders, to women doctors and star ship captains, there's a lot of love.

a slice of cake

This guide was made to accompany the 2021 ISCORE presentation:
Diverse STEM Reading: A Layercake of Problems :-/

Presented and created by:
Megan O'Donnell, Data Services Librarian &
Erin Thomas, Engineering Librarian

Both presenters identify as white women and recognize that this group has a disproportionate representation and influence on two of the industries that act as gatekeepers on print media: publishers and libraries.