Barker leads the evolving Civility Initiative on the UCI campus and has given over fifty presentations throughout the system on this issue. His talk will focus on the interplay between culture and civility, how civility affects communication, and how differing task, missions and values can lead to an absence of civility. Time will be allowed at the end for questions and answers. Hispanic scientists and engineers at the Lab have started a Northern New Mexico professional chapter of MAES, the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists, with about 20 Laboratory members. MAES Northern New Mexico became a lab-sanctioned group late last year and strives to promote the scientific work of those who belong to the group.
Membership also is drawn from other industries and companies throughout the region.
The organization serves to network and nurture members' leadership, communication, management and technical skills. The national Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists was founded in 1974. In 1989, the name changed to the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists to recognize the work and contributions made by members in various scientific fields. Another organizational goal is to develop an educational and occupational pipeline for young Hispanics to interest them in engineering and science degrees. The organization has presented national engineering and science symposia and job fairs through the Southwest.