Wednesday, June 18, 2025 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Integrative Learning Center ILCN101
Equity in Action: Empowering Indigenous Women Scholars in Mexico Through STEM to Revitalize the Commons
in-person
Francisco Marmolejo Cossío1, Michelle González Amador2, Tilsa Oré Mónago3, Rubén Martínez Cárdenas4, and Imelda Flores Vazquez5
1Harvard University, United States, 2Wageningen University, Netherlands, 3Rice University, United States, 4University of York, United Kingdom, 5The Cigna Group, United States
The International Summer of Science (ISS) is an interdisciplinary research program that, over the past three years, has supported more than 60 women students from 12 Indigenous communities across Mexico (https://www.eaamo.org/projects/rednacecyt-2024-summer-of-science-program). A collaboration between the ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization (EAAMO) and various state research councils in Mexico, the ISS is designed to empower Indigenous women scholars to address critical issues in their communities by bridging traditional knowledge systems with techniques from computer science, algorithms, A.I and STEM more broadly.
In alignment with the 2025 IASC theme of “Regenerating the Commons,” this paper explores the ISS as a transformative initiative that equips Indigenous women to become advocates for the sustainable management of shared resources. The program’s projects span natural, cultural, and digital commons, addressing challenges such as water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of indigenous culture and language. Participants receive mentorship, access to academic networks, and opportunities to present their work at international conferences, positioning them to influence both local and global policy.
This paper presents case studies from the ISS, showcasing the tangible impact of its projects on revitalizing the commons. It examines how the program fosters collaboration between researchers and Indigenous participants, demonstrating the value of integrating diverse knowledge systems to tackle pressing environmental, social, and technological issues.
By supporting Indigenous students and amplifying their voices, the ISS exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can regenerate the commons through equitable and inclusive approaches. This paper argues that empowering underrepresented groups is essential to developing sustainable solutions for shared resources, addressing the ongoing challenges of enclosure, and advancing the principles of commons worldwide.
