DEI Plenary Panel: Lisa J. Graumlich, AGU President (Moderator) Advancing Commitments to Inclusive Science Culture and Practices: Doubling Down in the Face of Adversarial Headwinds

An inclusive science culture is essential for addressing the scientific and societal challenges that face our planet and humanity. Yet, over recent months, legislative actions in the United States have increasingly targeted inclusive science policies and practices, and seek to ban or severely limit diversity, equity and inclusion related teachings and activities. Many states have sponsored legislation making it illegal to provide DEI training, implement inclusive hiring practices, and limit what American educators can teach – including the history of and legacy slavery in America, structural racism in STEM, evolving concepts of gender identity, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ issues in general, and anything to do with diversity, equity and inclusion, broadly defined. In some cases, potential severe personal and institutional consequences are defined for such actions. All in the broad AGU community, including students, partners, faculty... are already directly and indirectly impacted. These direct impacts also extend to nonU.S. scientists pursuing education in the U.S. The recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings targeting admission practices in U.S. institutions of higher education will likely compound state antiDEI laws. These state legislation and federal decisions deserve attention and collective response from AGU and allied organizations.
In this session, a panel of expert national leaders will discuss these trends and provide guidance, commitments, and recommendations on what can and is being done by institutions, organizations, and individuals, to stand up to these challenges for creating an environment where individuals from all backgrounds are equitably included. This session will also serve as a voice of encouragement and support to all who work to help promote and exemplify an inclusive science culture.

Panelist: Adam Falk, President of Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Panelist: Kuheli Dutt, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Panelist:Julie R. Posselt, Associate Professor of Education, Director, Equity in Graduate Education Consortium and Associate Dean, USC Graduate School

Panelist:Paulette Granberry Russell, J.D., President of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education