Challenges and Opportunities to Building a More Diverse Workforce in the Geosciences.
Abstract
How do we build a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the geosciences? A workshop, "Optimizing the Intern Experience" was held in June 2019 in Woods Hole, MA, to discuss this issue. It brought together former interns, administrators of research internship programs, and the directors of scientific organizations to share perspectives on how to make research internships more effective in encouraging members of under-represented minorities to follow careers in the geosciences.
Key points raised during this Workshop are: A well-structured research internship can be an effective way to increase diversity in the geosciences. For many of the former students who attended the Workshop, the research internship was a turning point in their lives and the point at which they decided to become a scientist. African-American, Hispanic and students from other under-represented groups who have chosen to pursue a career in the geosciences still often feel isolated and uncomfortable on predominantly white campuses. Virtually all minority students reported being subjected to acts of discrimination, even when an institution was making substantial efforts to be inclusive. Some of the most basic challenges faced by minority students may not be obvious to a person who grew up in the mainstream culture. Research campuses and institutions need to address the needs of under-represented groups, but also need to help staff members understand, welcome and feel comfortable with new members from different backgrounds. The presentaion will share the Workshop results and its implications for increasing diversity and inclusion in the geosciences.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMED33A..05C
- Keywords:
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- 0855 Diversity;
- EDUCATION;
- 1974 Social networks;
- INFORMATICS;
- 6630 Workforce;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES;
- 6620 Science policy;
- PUBLIC ISSUES