Library Guides: Diverse STEM Reading: a Layer Cake of Problems: Video

Video

The film industry is very white which means that independent films and documentaries are often not as easy to access as feature films or documentaries by famous, and majority white, creators. Another unfortunate facet with films and documentaries is the films and series are available through streaming services are constantly changing due to expiring and new deals with content providers. This is true for both personal and the library's subscription services. For these reasons self publishing video platforms such as YouTube are one of the best places to find diversity in STEM on video.

Some, but not all, of the videos and channels on this page have captions or transcripts.

Online Video Channels and Series

YouTube, and similar video hosting sites, are a great way to find first-hand accounts of scientists and engineers of all identities because they are self-publishing platforms.

The embedded video is a playlist showcasing the variety of content available on YouTube - TED talks, presentations, personal accounts - featuring diverse STEM practitioners and their experiences. The list of YouTube channels following the video is illustrative of the content and creators available and is not exhaustive.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Interviews, features, and research presentations from American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
AsianScientist
Video interviews produced by Asian Scientist Magazine, a magazine that highlights research and development news stories from Asia to a global audience.
Black In Neuro
Celebrating Black excellence in neuroscience related fields.
Engineering Gals
Engineering Gals is an online community for engineers focused on empowering ecosystems for women in engineering.
Pride in STEM: Out Thinkers series
Out Thinkers serves to showcase the talent of LGBT+ people in STEM, providing a platform where people can talk about their work while truly being themselves.
SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) YouTube channel
Videos cover many topics including research presentations, interviews, and career advice.
Sistas in STEM
Sistas in STEM is a resource for Black women and women of color to be educated, connected, and empowered in their daily lives and their passion for STEM.
Women in Technology International YouTube Channel
A deep video archive that features interviews, virtual conference sessions, and keynotes, and much more.

Documentaries

Documentaries are another way to access and incorporate diverse voices in STEM. Like publishing, the film industry is very white which means the most diversity is not found in mainstream features. Independent films and documentaries have better representation but are not always easy to access and often cost more to obtain than feature films or documentaries by famous, and majority white, creators.

Kanopy (ISU login required) is currently ISU's best source for documentaries featuring diverse STEM practitioners and storytellers.

Please note the films available on Kanopy change regularly so not all of the recommendations on this page may be available.

The Woman Who Loves Giraffes
In 1956, before Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, 23-year-old biologist Anne Innis Dagg made an unprecedented solo journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild. When she returned home a year later, the insurmountable barriers she faced as a female scientist proved hard to overcome.
Big Dream: Young Women Entering STEM Fields
This film follows the intimate stories of seven young women from around the world who are breaking barriers and overcoming personal challenges to follow their passion STEM fields.
Crying Earth Rise Up
Tells the story of Debra White Plume and Elisha Yellow Thunder's parallel search for answers to the question: Why are there high levels of radiation in our drinking water and how can we protect our families and community against this threat?
The Path to Nuclear Fission: The Story of Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn
The story of two close friends who discovered nuclear fission is told in great detail within the context of both World Wars. This video is as much about role of scientists in political events, social responsibility, and discrimination against women and Jews, as it is about the science, though the science is clearly explained.

Feature Films

We had hoped to incorporate more feature films in this guide. However, the majority of "diverse" STEM films tell the story of CIS white men (and a few women). Hidden Figures is a noteworthy outlier as it's a feature film about the achievements of three African American women mathematicians (computers).

Note: the films in this section are "based on a true story" but their accuracy levels differ. A quick Google search will turn up criticism, good and bad, on each film.

Hidden Figures (film)
Call Number: DVD 007 851
Publication Date: 2017
The Imitation Game (film)
Call Number: DVD 007 286
Publication Date: 2014
Based on the life of Alan Turning, mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero, and pioneer of modern-day computing who was convicted on the criminal offense of homosexuality in 1952.
Temple Grandin
Call Number: DVD 004 806
Publication Date: 2010
An engaging portrait of an autistic young woman who became, through timely mentoring and sheer force of will, one of America's most remarkable success stories.
Gorillas in the mist the adventure of Dian Fossey
Call Number: DVD 000 230
Publication Date: 1999
The story of Dian Fossey, an anthropologist studying gorillas and her efforts to stop the decimation of the endangered apes.
A Beautiful Mind
Call Number: DVD 000 398
Publication Date: 1994
Dramatic biography of John Nash, a mathematical genius, who made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. After many years of struggle, he eventually triumphed over his schizophrenia, and finally, late in life, received the Nobel Prize.
The Theory of Everything
Call Number: DVD 007 230
Publication Date: 2014
Renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age.

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.