Building an alliance to diversify geoscience: A J.E.D.I. approach.

Abstract:

In this talk I will cover approaches taken to create a diverse alliance of organizations as part of broader efforts to diversify geoscience. Using a J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity) approach these alliances created new opportunities to engage diverse populations who can contribute to a scientific workforce that will need new perspectives and skills to address the emerging needs of 21^st century geoscience research. Recent NSF survey data demonstrate that approximately 8% of all graduate students enrolled in Geoscience related programs, identify as a member of an underrepresented group. These declining trends continue into the professional geoscience workforce. It is imperative to identify potential barriers to and, new strategies for recruiting, engaging, and retaining populations historically underrepresented in geoscience. In the United States this issue is especially pressing as current demographic data demonstrate large shifts in the country's ethnic composition with little reflection of this change seen in the ranks of U.S. STEM institutions. These current trends should be of concern as many of these groups, such as African Americans, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and LQBTQ individuals and their talents are noticeably underrepresented in STEM. Within science disciplines that struggle to attract students from diverse backgrounds, the geosciences have had significant struggles in attracting students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM. Here I describe best practices, successes and challenges in developing alliances aimed at engaging underrepresented groups in geoscience and, providing professional scientists with the skills to engage a diversity of individuals.