The Mathematics of Mathematics: Using Mathematics and Data Science to Analyze the Mathematical Sciences Community and Enhance Social Justice

TL;DR

This paper reviews how mathematical and data science techniques can analyze and address inequities within the mathematical sciences community to promote social justice and inclusivity.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of 'mathematics of Mathematics' to systematically study and improve equity in the mathematical sciences using quantitative methods.

Findings

Identifies existing inequities in the mathematical sciences community

Provides examples of quantitative analysis of social justice issues

Proposes collaborative approaches to enhance equity

Abstract

We present and discuss a curated selection of recent literature related to the application of quantitative techniques, tools, and topics from mathematics and data science that have been used to analyze the mathematical sciences community. We engage in this project with a focus on including research that highlights, documents, or quantifies (in)equities that exist in the mathematical sciences, specifically, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) more broadly. We seek to enhance social justice in the mathematics and data science communities by providing numerous examples of the ways in which the mathematical sciences fails to meet standards of equity, equal opportunity and inclusion. We introduce the term ``mathematics of Mathematics" for this project, explicitly building upon the growing, interdisciplinary field known as ``Science of Science" to interrogate, investigate, and identify the nature of the mathematical sciences itself. We aim to promote, provide, and posit sources of productive collaborations and we invite interested researchers to contribute to this developing body of work.