LDEO Demographics

The demographics at Lamont reveal a predominantly white/Caucasian male population, which is typical of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. LDEO is committed to promoting a more diverse STEM workforce, with greater representation of underrepresented groups including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. Columbia's NSF-ADVANCE program in 2005 developed institutional level initiatives promoting diversity, following which various diversity initiatives and programs were developed by the Office of Academic Affairs & Diversity (which serves as Lamont's Diversity Office) to continue and further the mission of STEM diversity at Lamont.


The following figures show the demographic composition of the LDEO professional scientific staff with respect to race and gender. As can be seen from the graphs below, over the period 2005 - 2017 there was a significant increase in gender diversity. While the increase is evident across all ranks, the greatest increase was in junior ranks, with the most striking difference at the Lamont Assistant Research Professor level, from 18% female in 2005 to 50% female in 2017.

With respect to racial diversity, there has been very little change over the same time period, with little to no Underrepresented Minorities (URMs), and a few Asians in some scientific ranks. On average, the scientific staff is 87% white, with some ranks being as much as 95% white.

The demographics of invited seminar speakers shows increased gender and racial diversity over time, however while it was possible to compile gender data, it was not possible to accurately compile a list with racial data. Scroll down for the gender data on invited seminar speakers. This significant increase is a result of proactive efforts to promote increased visibility of women and minorities.

Note: The following tracks are mentioned in the graphs below: Lamont Research Professor (LRP, formerly known as the Doherty Scientist track); Research Scientist (RS); and Staff Associate (SA). Of these, members of the Lamont Research Professor and Research Scientist tracks are considered Professional Officers of Research, and members of the Staff Associate track are considered Staff Officers of Research.

Graph for Gender of LDEO Scientists 2005-2017
Graph for Lamont Asst. Research Professor: Gender 2005-2017
Graph for Race: LRP and RS Tracks 2005-2017
LDEO Seminars Gender 2008 - 2018