
Iris R. Wagstaff, Ph.D.
STEM Program Director
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Iris R. Wagstaff, a chemist, educator, DEI thought leader and STEM policy advisor, currently serves as a STEM Program Director at AAAS where she manages a portfolio of initiatives focused on broadening participation in STEM, advancing innovation at HBCUs, and supporting low-income STEM students. In this role, she is PI and co-PI on five NSF-funded grants totaling ~26 million dollars. Prior to AAAS, she served as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the DOJ National Institute of Justice where she developed and led an agency-wide strategic diversity and inclusion initiative. She has over 20 years of experience at both the K-12 and higher education levels developing culturally relevant STEM curricula, coaching STEM teachers and faculty, and developing strategic partnerships between industry, academia, non-profits and government. Iris has a BS and MS in Chemistry, a PhD in science education research and policy, and has worked in all four sectors (industry, academia, government, non-profits).
Blog Posts
Teaching the Teacher: Social Justice, Equity, and the Future of Science | January 18, 2023