Searching for Equilibrium: Integrating EDI in All Phases of a Career
Abstract
Many graduate students and early career physicists want to succeed in their career and make the physics community more just and equitable. Often, they are advised to establish themselves in the field before taking on the added responsibilities and time commitments that work in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) require. This advice is sound during some periods in a career trajectory, but it is too frequently the only advise given. For those who want to contribute to EDI efforts, this advice misses the mark and following this advice can lead to dissatisfaction in a physics career. But there are ways in which folks, no matter their career stage, can navigate the choppy waters of combining their physics with EDI work in rewarding ways. In this talk, I will present some lessons learned on how this can be done. First, I will stress the importance of the groundwork each individual has to do in order to work EDI. This self-education and self-reflection are critical to meaningfully contribute to EDI efforts. Then I will offer several pathways to EDI work that can be joined when both preparation and time permit. The multiple pathways will point out ways in which one can do EDI work given other boundary conditions that may be present. Lastly, I will offer some reflections what it means to find equilibrium while working in EDI, as an educator, and as physicist.
- Publication:
-
APS April Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- April 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022APS..APRB06001P