Evelyn Valdez-Ward

Evelyn Valdez-Ward, wearing a navy blue dress with large pink flowers, standing and smiling with a white background.
  • Senior Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Department of Natural Resources Science
  • Email: evaldezward@uri.edu
  • Office Location: Remote

Biography

Dra. Evelyn Valdez-Ward (she/ella) is a Mexican and formerly undocumented scholar, dedicated to amplifying voices in science. She earned her doctorate from the University of California-Irvine, focusing on the narratives of scientists and their use of science communication for increased sense of belonging. As a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Rhode Island, and an NSF STEM Ed Postdoctoral Fellow, her work continues to explore these critical themes. Dra. Valdez-Ward co-founded the ReclaimingSTEM Institute, providing science communication training, conducting evaluation and research, and helping build STEM, reaching over 2000 participants worldwide.

Research

Evelyn investigates the experiences of postdoctoral scholars, focusing on how their personal and professional environments influence their STEM identity, self-efficacy, and career trajectories. Drawing on STEM Identity Theory, the Communication Theory of Identity, and Social Cognitive Career Theory, her research explores how postdocs define their identities, navigate their environments, and shape their futures in STEM.