Rachel J. Beane

Affiliation: Earth and Oceanographic Science, Academic Affairs

Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Natural Sciences and Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Pre-major Advising

Prof. Beane is a geologist who interprets processes that have shaped our Earth. She has conducted mineral, volcanic, and tectonic research in New Zealand, Russia, Kazakhstan, Greece, western U.S., and Maine, with grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Bowdoin. Her approach is to use mineral compositions and textures to interpret solid earth processes using a combination of methods including field work, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (EBSD, CL, EDS, and BSE). She is a fellow of the Geological Society of America.

She enjoys teaching and mentoring undergraduate students at Bowdoin. She has been honored with the Bowdoin College Sydney B. Karofsky teaching prize for her “ability to impart knowledge, inspire enthusiasm, and stimulate intellectual curiosity.” And, she is recipient of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Neil Miner teaching award for “exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences.”

Prof. Beane currently serves as the college's associate dean for Academic Affairs with a focus on faculty recruitment and the pre-major advising program. During a previous term as associate dean (2016-20), she focused on faculty development and mentoring.

She has lead national professional development workshops for science educators through the National Association of Geoscience Teachers and On the Cutting Edge, an NSF funded project focusing on faculty development. Her recent open-access articles related to faculty development and science education research are:

Uneven increases in racial diversity of US geoscience undergraduates: Over the past 20 years, the proportion of US geoscience undergraduate degree recipients from racialized groups has increased threefold, more than for graduate degrees. Much of this progress currently is concentrated at relatively few universities. We have work to do to make our discipline more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for students everywhere.
Design and Impact of the National Workshop for Early Career Geoscience Faculty: More than 1,000 faculty members have attended this national workshop that employs a “whole faculty” approach to support the transition into academic careers. Survey data indicate the workshop has been effective at promoting evidence-based teaching strategies and a community of practice
Probing the National Geoscience Faculty survey for reported use of education practices that support inclusive learning environments in undergraduate courses: Analyses of survey data showed faculty use of inclusive education practices associated with four categories—geoscientist representations, curricular choices, learning strategies, and career pathways—differ based on their communication with colleagues, institution type, and course type (introductory or major).
Accelerating change: The power of faculty change agents to promote diversity and inclusive teaching practices: Adoption of equitable and inclusive teaching practices may be accelerated with a professional development diffusion model. A successful example of this approach is the SAGE 2YC program, in which faculty change agents learn and practice strategies, implement changes in their own teaching, and then work in teams to lead workshops.

Education

PhD, Stanford University, 1997
BA, Williams College, 1993

Earth and Oceanographic Science

Rachel J. Beane

Faculty Development and Geoscience Education

Selected Geoscience Publications

Education

Earth and Oceanographic Science

Rachel J. Beane

Awards

Publications

Faculty Development and Geoscience Education

Selected Geoscience Publications

Grants

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Education