About the Committee
The Department of Physics & Astronomy’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) Committee was formed September 2020 to advocate for and address the needs of marginalized members of our community. The EDI Committee works to build equity in the Department’s education, research, and scholarship activities and provide equal opportunity.
This webpage will act as the communication hub for the Committee to engage with our community members. The Committee aims to work transparently and will provide regular updates on this webpage. The Committee also welcomes feedback and encourages members of the Department to communicate with us and hold us accountable.
The Committee members for the 2020-2021 Academic Year:
- Chair – Dr. Christine Wilson
- Faculty Representative – Dr. Robert Cockcroft
- Faculty Representative – Dr. Kari Dalnoki-Veress
- Faculty Representative – Dr. Laura Parker (Fall 2020)
- Faculty Representative – Dr. Alison Sills (Winter 2021)
- Graduate Student Representative – Erica Dao
- Graduate Student Representative – Rachel Pillsworth
- Undergraduate Student Representative – Lucas Chu
- Post-doctoral Representative – Maan Hani
Initiatives
Ongoing
Curriculum
- Development of an Indigenous astronomy course with Indigenous collaborators on- and off-campus
Training/Learning
- Colloquia to educate Department members on EDI topics
- Establishing a departmental demographic/climate survey
Communication/Community Building
- Creation of webpage to communicate EDI news and events
- Compiling EDI resources, including training programs, available to staff, faculty, and students
- Hosting a town hall for all members of the Department to open discussion and encourage feedback on all EDI issues and initiatives
Student support
- Undergraduate summer research program for Black and/or Indigenous students
Goals
Training/Learning
- Coordinating EDI training workshops in the Department with the Equity & Inclusion Office
Communication/Community Building
- Mentoring program for students from underrepresented groups within the department
- Training program to become better mentors
Student support
Outreach
- Indigenous astronomy public outreach initiative
- Physics lab kits sent to students in underrepresented groups accompanied with a mentorship program
- Expand Girls in Science day to include underrepresented groups broadly
- Mentoring program for students from underrepresented groups (with high school students)
Advocacy
- Award for students working to foster inclusivity
Events
Upcoming
Town Hall – December 9th at 3:30pm
