Cultivating an Inclusive Culture in the Physics Department Through a Learning Assistant Program

The Physics LA Program at Texas State University is structured specifically to create an inclusive community and develop a shared culture of mutual support. LAs describe a sense of belonging to a supportive and collaborative community of peers, near-peers, and faculty. In an interview study with women of color and LGBTQ+ women physics majors, participants specifically identified the LA experience as supporting their success and identified ways in which the LA Program positively influenced their broader experiences in the department. In this workshop, participants will learn about the theoretical frameworks of Communities of Practice and Critical Physics Identity; use these frameworks as lenses for understanding video data from weekly prep sessions and interviews; and discuss LA Program elements supporting inclusive culture and positive physics identity development.