The Uhura Effect

Many Black and Indigenous female fans cite Star Trek character Uhura as someone who empowered them to go into careers that involved science, technology, engineering, and other similar fields (STEM). 
The character of Uhura was a competent, authoritative and respected scientist, at a time when Black women on American television were generally entertainers, housewives or maids. 
Additionally, actress Nichelle Nichols was actively involved in promoting STEM careers to Black women. She is credited as the inspiration for US astronauts Mae Jamison and Sally Ride to join NASA, a her role which was explored in a 2021 documentary. 
A similar phenomenon is The Scully Effect.
==What Is the Uhura Effect==
The 2020 Northeastern University "The Uhura Effect" research project underlines the importance of the Uhura character: 
The project aims at augmenting the findings of the well-known Scully Effect report by focusing on Black and Indigenous women of color and how the original run and syndication of Star Trek might have affected their choice to enter STEM careers.
===Nichols and MLK===
The importance of the Uhura character is exemplified by Nichols's famous interaction with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
Early in Star Trek history, she considered quitting the show to join the cast of a musical, because she saw her role as a glorified switchboard operator.
After speaking to Dr King, however, she started to see her role differently: 
 
==NASA Recruitment==
On top of providing a positive and inspirational fictional role model, Nichols was personally involved in reaching out to minority candidates to recruit civilian astronauts for NASA, speaking at schools and colleges in the 1970s. 
From a 2012 Q&A with Nichols: 
thumb|300px|@NASAHistory 2021 tweet celebraing the influence of Uhura for Black History Month
This episode of Nichols's life was recounted in the 2021 documentary, "Woman in Motion," directed by Todd Thompson: 
When Mae Jamison transmitted from space for the first time on Sept 12, 1992, she opened her communications with "Hailing frequencies open," a Lt. Uhura catchphrase.Pioneering astronaut and Lt. Uhura from ‘Star Trek’ talk science at Silicon Valley Comic Con, April 8, 2018, sfchronicle.com
In Dec 2021, during her last public appearance at Comic Con, Nichols was awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal, honouring her committment and contributions to the agency.Nichelle Nichols Appears for Final Comic-Con Events in L.A. amid Conservatorship Battle, Dec 8, 2021, People Magazine
==Fan Testimonies==
==Further Reading==
* Star Trek Week: How Nichelle Nichols Changed the Face of NASA (2012)
* The Legacy of Lt. Uhura: Astronaut Mae Jemison on Race in Space, Duke Today (2013)
* Representation Matters: It's Science (2018)
* https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Pioneering-astronaut-and-Lt-Uhura-from-Star-12816028.php Pioneering astronaut and Lt. Uhura from ‘Star Trek’ talk science at Silicon Valley Comic Con], sfchronicle.com (2018)
* Nichelle Nichols on Martin Luther King, Jr. convincing her not to leave "Star Trek", FoundationINTERVIEWS, posted on YouTube Jan 17, 2019
* The Evolution of Female Role Models in Star Trek (2020)
* "Woman in Motion," 2021, Todd Thompson (director)
* NASA and Uhura, newspress.com (2021)
* New documentary reveals how Star Trek changed NASA forever, inverse.com (2021)
* Woman In Motion: How Star Trek and Nichelle Nichols Forever Changed the Face of NASA, Mental Floss (2021)
==References==
 
Category:Star Trek Fandom Glossary