Author Archives: Karen Saxe

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About Karen Saxe

Karen Saxe is Director of the AMS Office of Government Relations which works to connect the mathematics community with Washington decision-makers who affect mathematics research and education. Over many years she has contributed much time to the AMS, MAA, and AWM, including service as vice president of the MAA and in policy and advocacy work with all three. She was the 2013-2014 AMS Congressional Fellow, working for Senator Al Franken on education issues, with focus on higher education and STEM education. In Minnesota she has served on the Citizens Redistricting Commission following the 2010 census and serves on the Common Cause Minnesota Redistricting Leadership Circle. She has three children and, when not at work especially enjoys being with them and reading, hiking and sharing good food and wine and beer with family and friends.

In order to prevent an exodus of international PhD students, we must stand together

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  Editor’s Note: Andy Hardt and Mahrud Sayrafi–the authors of this post–are PhD students at the University of Minnesota. Andy is in his fifth year of graduate school, and working on his thesis research with Ben Brubaker. Mahrud is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Graduate students, Immigration | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Urgent Action Needed on New Immigration Rules

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  October 19 update: Thank you all for your interest. I received emails over the weekend from students, voicing concern and asking for further information about your own situation in light of the “duration of stay” proposed changes. First, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Graduate students, Grassroots Leaders, Immigration | Tagged , | 2 Comments

What are your plans for the academic year 2021-22?

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  On the job market? On sabbatical next year? Looking for a new direction to go with your math background? If you haven’t considered applying for the AMS Congressional Fellowship, I am going to try to convince you to consider … Continue reading →

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COVID & Racism, their effects on the university scientific enterprise and what Congress is doing (or not doing) about them

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  What a summer we have had. The killing of George Floyd and others has sparked renewed outrage over systemic racism in our country. Protests and demonstrations across the nation are calling for real change. The pandemic continues unabated at … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, Federal support for science, National Science Foundation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Our First Branch of Government Needs Science Too

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  Editor’s Note: Lucia Simonelli just completed her year as the AMS Congressional Fellow. She served in the office of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and focused her work there on his climate agenda. She received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the … Continue reading →

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Remembering John Lewis; African Americans in Congress

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  Over the past two months we have seen renewed energy to address systemic racism in this country. This is very good and I am ever-optimistic that we can make many small steps forward, and maybe even some larger ones. … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, racism, voting | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

More on Re-imagining the NSF

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Karen Saxe

On June 9, I wrote in this blog about the Endless Frontier Act. It has come to my attention that my post may seem critical, and not enthusiastic about the bill. To the contrary, the bill is a tremendous show … Continue reading →

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Re-imagining the National Science Foundation

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  Senators Schumer and Young, and Representatives Gallagher and Khanna have introduced legislation that would, if enacted into law, bring major changes to the NSF. There would be a new name for the agency, a major re-organization of internal structure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Appropriations, National Science Foundation, NSF | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Support Our International Students and Faculty Colleagues: Update

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  Since I last wrote about this topic on May 13, many of you have responded to our call to Take Action. To date, over 400 mathematicians have written their congressional delegations using the link. Senators and Representatives in 35 … Continue reading →

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Support Our International Students and Faculty Colleagues

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Karen Saxe

  On April 22, President Trump issued a “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak.” Section 6 requires a review of non-immigrant visa programs, and it … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Graduate students, Higher Education, Immigration | Tagged , | 1 Comment