The Midwest Retreat for Diversity in Chemistry (MWRDC) is an annual retreat geared toward early-career scientists in chemistry-related fields. This intimate event (< 70 people) places an emphasis on professional development and diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation (DEIR) in the field of chemistry. The goal of MWRDC is the retention of underrepresented groups in chemistry careers and their advancement into leadership roles.

Retreat attendees will have the opportunity to network with chemists in various career sectors (academia, industry, government, and nontraditional careers), present their academic research during an informal poster session, attend various workshops and breakout sessions, and take away valuable knowledge and improved soft skills to promote success in their chemistry career paths and lives.

MWRDC is an opportunity for you to interact with other chemists in a setting outside the lab and university and to talk about more than just your research. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to figure out how to move forward in our career with the resources we have. Meeting successful chemists – some in established careers, some with unconventional career paths, and some in careers you’ve never heard of – can be eye-opening and help you figure out what trajectory makes sense for you. And going through this whole process with peers who are in the same situation helps you realize you are not alone and should rely on one another more as you move forward.

In our retreat exit survey, one attendee said “[MWRDC] gives us a chance to talk to people in-the-know. It is a great opportunity to network. It is a small setting that allows for real feedback from many different people in different phases of their careers and lives.” You can read more testimonials from previous retreat attendees here and learn what they got out of MWRDC.

Any graduate student (M.S. or Ph.D.) or postdoctoral scholar in chemistry or a closely-related field is welcome to attend our retreat! You do not need to be from the Midwest, but keep in mind that travel expenses are your responsibility.

We do not accept undergraduate students to the retreat as the session topics and information might not be relevant to them yet.