2026 Asian Americans and STEM Conference: Science in a De-globalizing World

Led by a cross-disciplinary team from Asian American Studies, Physics, and Computer Science, this project examines the contradictory position of Asian American scientists as both celebrated “model minorities” and perceived security threats. By integrating humanities-driven inquiry with scientific history, the initiative uncovers how U.S. and European imperialism, racial exclusion, and global geopolitics have shaped the experiences of these researchers. The work seeks to reclaim the narratives of Asian American scientists, moving them from passive objects of study to recognized agents of discovery whose contributions have often been erased or obfuscated in standard histories.

Building on an inaugural 2024 conference at Yale that drew over 100 participants, the project is expanding its reach through a second one-day symposium in collaboration with NYU and CUNY. These events foster critical dialogue on racialization and professionalization within STEM fields across the 20th and 21st centuries. The upcoming symposium continues this mission of addressing the lack of recognition for Asian American technical workers and is open to all individuals interested in the intersection of race, history, and scientific production.