These are exciting times at City College as the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently reaffirmed our status as a leading research or research 2 (R2) institution. This classification, based on research spending and doctorate production, reflects that over the past 3 years CCNY spent an average of $62 million/year on research and graduated 30 doctoral students. This year, several campuses across CUNY were also designated as leading research institutions, with Hunter College achieving R2 status for the first time and the Graduate Center maintaining its R1 status. The increase in research activity can be directly related to the many researchers whose efforts have led to groundbreaking discoveries, solutions to real world problems and the training of the next generation. We applaud all the faculty, students and staff who have contributed to these research advances.
As March is Women’s History Month, this issue of the RICC celebrates the women at CCNY whose research and scholarship contributions have helped the college to achieve and maintain its R2 status. We not only highlight several women faculty members but also bring you the perspective of five distinguished women professors on the nature of the academy and how it has changed (or not!) over the years. As directors of centers and programs, academic leaders and research innovators, these women have profoundly contributed to the vibrant and active CCNY research environment.
Although International Women’s Day was established in 1911, Women’s History Month wasn’t established in the U.S. until the 1980s, as one day or one week was not sufficient to reflect upon the contributions of women to all areas of our society. Likewise, a single issue of the RICC is insufficient to capture all the contributions, but it’s a beginning.
City College has a long tradition of supporting women researchers and I would like to take this moment to highlight the achievements of Dr. Myriam Sarachik.
Dr. Myriam Sarachik, a CCNY Physics professor for over 50 years, began her career at CCNY as an assistant professor in 1964. Dr. Sarachik was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was also awarded the Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research from the American Physical Society. Dr. Sarachik received these and many other accolades for her foundational contributions to superconductivity, molecular magnetism and the physics of electron transport in solids. She overcame significant personal and systemic adversity to realize her research achievements and serves as a role model to us all.
In this issue of the RICC, we are highlighting current women faculty members who are making notable contributions to the research and scholarship enterprise at CCNY. We encourage you to take a deep dive to learn more about the work of three women professors: Dr. Laura Wainer who views architecture, specifically housing, as a means for influencing social organization; Dr. Alexandra Stern who studies history through the prism of different perspectives and brings to light how the present is influenced by the past; and Dr. Raphaelle Khan in political science offers her vision for a comprehensive world view by including the voices and perspectives from those groups, who are often struggling to be heard. These profiles along with a conversation with our Distinguished Professors illustrate the strengths of CCNY and how women make important and significant contributions to the overall research ecosystem and our community.
Enjoy!
Ishita Mukerji
Associate Provost
Office of Research
The City College of New York