Geological Society of America

T73 Practical Ways to Promote an Ethical, Diverse, Inclusive Culture across the Geosciences

Sunday, 22 September 2019
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 101C, West Building

ADVANCEGEO PARTNERSHIP: EMPOWERING GEOSCIENTISTS TO TRANSFORM WORKPLACE CLIMATE THROUGH BEHAVIORAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE

Paper number: T73-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:35 PM – 1:50 PM

Authors

Erika Marin-Spiotta Presenting Author
Geography, Madison, WI
Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Belmont Forum, Alexandria, VA
Asmeret Berhe
University of California, Merced Life and Environmental Sciences, Merced, CA
Meredith Hastings
Brown University, Providence, RI
Allison Mattheis
California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Blair Schneider
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Billy M. Williams
Washington, DC

Abstract

The geosciences are one of the least diverse fields in STEM, despite their societal relevance. Bias, discrimination, and harassment present serious hurdles to diversifying the field. These behaviors persist due to severe power imbalances, historical structures of exclusion, persistent marginalization of non-majority groups, and inadequate policies against misconduct. Here we discuss examples of strategies that are being implemented at multiple levels from the individual to the profession and highlight the role of partnerships for cultural change. We share ADVANCEGeo's model for improving workplace climate through bystander intervention and research ethics training and codification of professional practice. To be truly successful, cultural and behavioral changes need to be accompanied by reeducation about the historical political structures of academic institutions to start conversations about the real change that has to happen for a transformational and equitable scientific enterprise.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 5

doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-335819

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