Diversity, equity, and inclusion at international observatories: current practices and strategic planning for the future

Alysha Shugart

doi:10.1117/12.2561898

13 December 2020 Diversity, equity, and inclusion at international observatories: current practices and strategic planning for the future

Alysha Shugart

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11449, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VIII; 114491L (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561898
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace are essential to the success of a functioning observatory. The current climate among astronomical institutions with regards to EDI efforts is receptive. However, workplace demographics data, internal climate surveys among observatories, and representation in academic partnerships illustrate the strong need to strengthen efforts in EDI. Concrete initiatives are facilitated by strategic planning, solid goal setting, and accountability metrics. Astronomical facilities, managing entities, and their academic partners must have EDI as a central role of their operations in order to achieve and exceed their scientific goals, and to address the ongoing inequity that is strife in international astronomy. Since June of 2018, efforts of EDI have continued at facilities managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and goals have been established to implement the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan for the NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Laboratory (NOIRlab) that was announced October 1, 2019. The objectives of this paper are: 1) to briefly overview studies illustrating the successes of EDI efforts, 2) discuss the current demographics of AURA and National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) employees, 3) to review the framework of inclusive organizations, 4) to describe the activities of grassroots EDI initiatives at AURA facilities since June of 2018, and 5) to discuss the process of writing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan for NOIRlab. A report on the current status and important details from the process are presented.

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Alysha Shugart "Diversity, equity, and inclusion at international observatories: current practices and strategic planning for the future", Proc. SPIE 11449, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VIII, 114491L (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561898

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