Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

In Our Department

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences seeks to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. In support of this goal, the department is focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. We value building, fostering, respecting, and retaining multiple experiences and perspectives, recognizing each individual within the group and the roles and contributions each person brings to the success of the department. Read more in our Community Principles, a statement of our values as a department.

Many members of our department are currently participating in URGE: Unlearning Racism in Geoscience. URGE's primary objectives are to (1) deepen the community’s knowledge of the effects of racism on the participation and retention of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in Geoscience, (2) draw on existing literature, expert opinions, and personal experiences to develop anti-racist policies and strategies, and (3) share, discuss, and modify anti-racist policies and strategies within a dynamic community network and on a national stage. Learn more and view resources on URGE's website.

In Our Professional Organizations

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

As an organization that serves a large, global community of Earth and space scientists, AGU is committed to efforts promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. AGU's recently adopted strategic plan works toward the vision that “Diversity and Inclusion are recognized and celebrated as being essential for the success of AGU, its members, and the global Earth and Space Science enterprise." In August 2020, AGU shared eight deliberate steps they are taking to address racism in our community. Learn more about recent accomplishments and progress made by AGU in their 2020 annual DEI report and new DEI dashboard.

Geological Society of America (GSA)

In their position statement on diversity, the GSA affirms the value of diverse scientific ideas and the connection between diverse scientific ideas and a diverse group of contributors of those ideas, including those who comment and criticize. In their position statement on removing barriers to career progression for women, the GSA also strongly endorses the right for all to work in a safe, supportive, non-discriminatory, and recrimination-free environment where trust, respect, equity, fairness, accountability, and justice are honored.

#BlackInAstro Experiences: Bryné Hadnott

#BlackInAstro Experiences: Bryné Hadnott

New student organization aims to build community among LGBTQIA students in STEM

New student organization aims to build community among LGBTQIA students in STEM

Recent EPS DEI News

Changing the Culture of Fieldwork in the Geosciences

The need to address harassment in field campaigns is growing more urgent. A new workshop provides scientists with a broad set of tools to create more inclusive, safe, and functional field teams. By Alice F. Hill, Mylène Jacquemart, Anne U. Gold, and Kristy Tiampo on May 6, 2021.

Read more from Eos

Seven Ways PIs Can Counteract Systematic Bias Right Now

Principal investigators are the monarchs of their science kingdoms. Here are seven things they can do for the betterment of the realm—ehrm, lab group. By Jenessa Duncombe on March 12, 2021.

Read more from Eos

Student-Led Diversity Audits: A Strategy for Change

A group at the University of Oxford designed a new way to identify and present solutions to faculty that address inequities in the school’s Department of Earth Sciences. By Benjamin Fernando on February 1, 2021.

Read more from Eos

LGBTQ Researchers Say They Want to Be Counted

LGBTQ individuals may be underrepresented in science, but data are currently lacking. By Katie Langin on December 18, 2020.

Read more from Science

How to Combat Bullying and Discrimination in the Geosciences

Here are 10 practical steps that scientists can take to counteract the detrimental effects of abusive academic work environments. By Andrea L. Popp, Caitlyn A. Hall, and Yeliz A. Yılmaz on November 24, 2020.

Read more from Eos

Raising Our Voices for Diversity in the Geosciences

To achieve the goals in their aspirational diversity statements, organizations must actively recruit, mentor, and support scientists from every sector of society. By Lucila Houttuijn Bloemendaal, Katarena Matos, Kendra Walters, and Aditi Sengupta on October 16, 2020.

Read more from Eos

The Geosciences Community Needs to Be More Diverse and Inclusive

It’s essential if we’re going to protect our planet. By Robin E. Bell and Lisa White on May 8, 2020.

Read more from Scientific American

Read On

Explore our ever-expanding bibliography of news and research on diversity in science.

Bibliography

Resources for Minoritized Groups in Earth and Planetary Sciences

The increasingly pluralistic population of the United States is made up of many different ethnic, cultural, faith, and religious communities. To enhance mutual understanding among groups and promote inclusive communities, the ADL offers this resource as a tool to increase awareness of and respect for religious obligations and ethnic and cultural festivities that may affect students, colleagues, and neighbors in your community.

2024 Interfaith & Diversity Calendar

University Resources

Graduate Student Zhen Tian conducting research.

Since coming here as an international student, at first, I was really worried about language or cultural barriers, but I have never had such issues with that here. Our graduate students are like a huge family for me, and we all know and like and, most importantly, support each other very well.

―Zhen TianMcDonnell International Academy Scholar

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