Promoting Inclusivity in Physics & Astronomy (PIPA) is a student led group dedicated to making the department of physics and astronomy a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive environment. We strive to work towards this goal along with other groups in the university as well as the department’s EDI (Equity Diversity and Inclusion) committee.
Our initiatives aim to highlight how diversity in our immediate and extended community can improve all aspects of our department. Advocating for equity in our hiring process as well as increased support to EDI initiatives are a key aspect of our work.
We also look to increase the variety and diversity of ideas the department is exposed to. This includes expanding the circle of researchers which we invite to colloquia as well as growing to include colloquia topics related to EDI.
Community outreach is also an important part of what we do, and we are currently working on an online version of our popular Girls in Science Day. We also run a weekly virtual coffee hour open to anyone in the physics and astronomy department during which we catch up with others in the department and informally discuss topics of interest. The link for coffee hour is sent out weekly by members of PIPA.
