Teaching, Equity, and the Intersection of STEM and Humanities: An Interview with Dr. Cynthia Dobbs

Photo provided by Joshua Vaughan

Uncovering the connections between STEM and humanities to foster critical thinking, equity, and a deeper understanding of the world.

For the final part of our STEM and humanities interview series, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Cynthia Dobbs, one of our outstanding CORE professors at Pacific. She shared her insights on the importance of bridging STEM and the humanities, emphasizing their meaningful intersections. From her diverse academic journey to her passion for interdisciplinary teaching, Dr. Dobbs shared how humanities can illuminate critical social and environmental issues. 

Can you share what led you down the path of humanities education as your career?

"I loved biology in high school, and with both of my parents and my brother being doctors, I grew up with a strong STEM influence. My parents, however, always encouraged us to follow our own paths, and my mother, an avid reader, introduced me to the world of literature. So, I had both STEM and humanities shaping my upbringing. When I started college, I declared English as my major because I loved reading and writing. But my journey wasn’t linear—I changed my major three times in my freshman year. I started as an international relations major, switched to philosophy, and eventually returned to English.

After college, I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue. Journalism and law seemed like viable options, but I felt drawn to public service and joined the Peace Corps for two years. Interestingly, I applied to do something health-related, but based on my resume, they placed me as an English teacher at a high school. That experience revealed how much I loved teaching. When I returned, I debated between graduate programs in journalism or pursuing a Ph.D. in English. Ultimately, my Peace Corps experience cemented my decision to go the English route, setting me on the path to a career in education."

What aspects of STEM do you incorporate within the humanities?

"I see a lot of parallels between STEM and humanities processes. For instance, the scientific method aligns with the methodology of humanistic analysis. In science, you observe a phenomenon and develop a hypothesis. In humanities, you begin with phenomenology—your experience with a text or artwork—and form a hypothesis about its meaning. The 'experiments' in this analogy are the critical moments of analysis. For example, students might craft a thesis, but when they dive into the evidence, they sometimes discover it contradicts their original claim. Just like in science, they must adapt, ensuring their interpretations are backed by rigorous evidence rather than assumptions.

Humanistic analysis is just as demanding as scientific research, albeit in a different way. While the outcomes in humanities may seem more open-ended, every claim must be meticulously supported by citations. Similarly, STEM requires rigor in proving hypotheses. In both fields, curiosity, and openness to unexpected results are essential. I teach a class called Diagnosis, which examines how racial disparities and prejudice impact the body, covering topics like epigenetics and the biopsychosocial model. I also wrote an article titled Diagnosis Race, which explores how systemic inequities—like food deserts in marginalized neighborhoods and lack of education—affect health outcomes. My husband, who worked with medical residents, emphasized the importance of holistic patient care, recognizing the broader contexts people bring to clinical settings.

It's exciting to see efforts to blend STEM and humanities, such as teaching medical students how to cook and consider individualized care. The goal is to move away from one-size-fits-all approaches and toward a more holistic, compassionate understanding of health. Ultimately, integrating these disciplines highlights the unique rigor and beauty each offers while fostering a more interconnected worldview."

Have there been any impactful stories in the humanities that have resonated with you?

"Absolutely. Understanding more about the natural world has deepened my appreciation for the humanities. For example, The Overstory by Richard Powers profoundly impacted me. The novel’s protagonists are environmentalists fighting to protect ancient trees, and it introduced me to the idea that trees communicate by sharing nutrients. This discovery broadened my perspective on consciousness, challenging the long-held assumption in the humanities that only humans possess the ability to communicate and feel. I’m also captivated by beauty in nature. While I don’t follow a particular faith, I resonate with Emily Dickinson’s line, 'I spend the Sabbath in the garden.' Nature feels like the closest thing to a spiritual experience for me. Its beauty—both aesthetic and mechanistic—is humbling. If more people embraced this wonder, perhaps we’d be better stewards of the environment and face fewer ecological crises. Understanding scientific processes enriches this appreciation. Nature doesn’t require our acknowledgment; it simply exists. Witnessing that is a privilege.”

Do you feel like there should be more integration between the STEM and humanities programs at UOP?

"Absolutely, although structural barriers make it challenging. Academic divisions and compensation models often discourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. Still, faculty frequently exchange ideas, which fosters some interdisciplinary action toward larger goals. For students, one of the biggest hurdles is the mindset of 'I’m not good at that.' I admit I was guilty of it myself—I didn’t enjoy chemistry in high school and shied away from it. But even if you don’t excel in a subject, you can still appreciate its beauty.

For example, learning Excel as a humanities scholar was transformative for me. It deepened my understanding of data and showed me the value of cross-training. I encourage students to be open-minded and embrace curiosity, even in areas outside their comfort zones. This humility and interdisciplinary thinking are vital for a well-rounded education and for addressing complex global challenges."

I just want to give a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible professors who generously shared their time, experiences, and insights for this series. Your expertise and passion have provided a richer understanding of how STEM and the humanities intertwine in meaningful and transformative ways.

To the readers of this series, thank you for joining me on this journey! I hope this series has sparked curiosity and inspired you to explore how both STEM and humanities fields can inform and enhance one another. By embracing interdisciplinary thinking and being open to diverse perspectives, we can continue to grow as students, professionals, and lifelong learners. Thank you for being part of this conversation!