Psychology professor Steven Spencer of Ohio State University will deliver a plenary talk and workshop on Monday, Dec. 2, addressing issues related to attracting and retaining women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Dr. Spencer conducts research on motivation and the self, particularly on how these factors affect stereotyping and prejudice.

His lecture, “Addressing Stereotypes: Recruiting and Retaining Women in STEM,” is set for 10:30 a.m. in the Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre. He will discuss what has been learned in social psychology about creating the right type of environment where the pressure of stereotypes do not exist, and women can succeed to their true potential.

In the workshop “Women in Engineering: Improving Performance and the Environment,” Dr. Spencer will describe how research and theorizing on social identity threat was used to develop interventions to improve women’s performance in engineering. It begins at 1:30 p.m. in room 3000, Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation.

Both events are sponsored by the Faculty of Engineering and the Centre for Teaching and Learning; register on the centre’s website.