In Our Department
The Department of Earth 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's Ethics and Equity program in their 2019 summary.
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.
