1:57 PM - 2:09 PM
[U11-02] Gender Equity and Addressing Implicit Bias in the Earth and Space Sciences: Role of Scholarly Societies
★Invited Papers
Keywords:( inclusivity, equity, diversity ), ( gender equity ), ( implicit bias )
One of the three goals of AGU’s new strategic plan is to promote and exemplify an inclusive scientific culture. Inclusivity improves science, engenders trust in science, and is essential for engagement with and value by society. Trust, communication, and support suffer if only parts of society are fully welcome or engaged in science. Scholarly societies have a key role in developing and supporting an inclusive culture. Even though much work is still needed, most progress to date has been made on improving gender equity.
To promote and support an inclusive culture for women, AGU has implemented implicit bias training and discussions around inclusivity for staff and volunteer leaders; gathered and shared data on what was often unequal participation and opportunities in all programs (e.g., honors, meetings, and publications); mandated age and gender diversity, and international representation, on all committees; and proactively expanded diversity in several programs. AGU was a leading society in labeling harassment as scientific misconduct and implementing ethics checks into programs. We have shared these practices with other societies, including helping to form a larger coalition aimed at stopping harassment.
Much is still needed to support women in careers where retention is still very unequal. One example is recent research showing that women in the Earth and space sciences participate less in international collaborations. Societies have key roles to play in improving the culture across the sciences, and need to engage further with universities, departments, funders, and employers, and other stakeholders worldwide to effect change.
To promote and support an inclusive culture for women, AGU has implemented implicit bias training and discussions around inclusivity for staff and volunteer leaders; gathered and shared data on what was often unequal participation and opportunities in all programs (e.g., honors, meetings, and publications); mandated age and gender diversity, and international representation, on all committees; and proactively expanded diversity in several programs. AGU was a leading society in labeling harassment as scientific misconduct and implementing ethics checks into programs. We have shared these practices with other societies, including helping to form a larger coalition aimed at stopping harassment.
Much is still needed to support women in careers where retention is still very unequal. One example is recent research showing that women in the Earth and space sciences participate less in international collaborations. Societies have key roles to play in improving the culture across the sciences, and need to engage further with universities, departments, funders, and employers, and other stakeholders worldwide to effect change.