SESE DEI Initiatives

Expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Department

We are working very closely with SESE's Associate Director for an Inclusive Community Dr. Evan Scannapieco to promote discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion across all disciplines and positions within the department, from faculty, postdoctoral researchers, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students. We would like to promote open discussions providing perspectives and experiences within specific divisions (faculty, staff, postdocs, students) both publicly and anonymously and eventually lead to discussion across the entire department.

Improving Inclusivity for Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity

SESE has a diverse community of scientists and staff that exist across the gender spectrum. We are investigating ways to improve upon inclusivity for all genders within the department as well as the application review process. In previous years, we have worked hard to increase the population of female students with overall percentages of women  students increasing since 2010 (see below sections). In the future, we plan to expand upon these surveys by analyzing more gender diversity within the department and begin gathering statistics for diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity.

Improving Inclusivity for Students with Disabilities

SESE is working hard to create a more inclusive environment for disability and cognitive diversity. In particular, we have provided classroom resources for students with disabilities and are working to expand them even further.  We are currently working towards expanding inclusivity in research environments. ASU also provides accessibility services through SAILS (Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services).

Improving Inclusivity for International Students

Based on the results and analysis of the International Student Satisfaction Survey conducted at the end of Spring 2019, we have begun new initiatives to aid in the inclusion of our international student community. In addition to cultural and social inclusion, international students reported needing better resources for navigating administrative and legal challenges specific to their international status. To this end, we are developing resource documents regarding taxes and health insurance. We also plan to develop a peer mentoring program for international grad and undergrad students in SESE, probably to begin in Fall 2020.

Expanding Inclusive Practices within Curriculum

We are working closely with teaching faculty to expand upon inclusive practices already instituted within both undergraduate and graduate classes. Professors Steven Semken and Ariel Anbar have experimented with Virtual Reality technology to conduct virtual geology class field trips for students. This initiative is a huge step forward for bringing geology field work to the classroom for individuals with physical/mobility disabilities.

In Astronomy, thanks to the efforts of M. S. Rhonda Holton, tools are now available for blind/visually impaired students in undergraduate astronomy classes. Professor Rogier Windhorst among others have made use of surface tactiles for visually impaired astronomy students.

In the future, we wish to maintain these practices in addition to experimenting with new practices for expanding inclusive practices within classrooms.

Expanding Inclusive Practices within Undergraduate and Graduate Research

Members of graduate council and faculty have been discussing how to introduce inclusive practices within research. This is a difficult issue to address with no simple solutions. An example issue we would like to address is how to improve inclusivity for people with physical/mobility disabilities in fieldwork geosciences and laboratory sciences.

Expanding Inclusive Practices for Individuals with Dietary Restrictions

We are working closely with the SESE administration and the SESE Colloquium Meeting to expand upon inclusive catering practices for events within the department. So far, the department has done an excellent job with providing options for vegetarian individuals at catered events, and more diverse options for vegan individuals are on the horizon. As a department, we can expand upon this even further by providing more options for those with other dietary restrictions, including gluten and lactose intolerance. Depending on the severity of gluten/lactose intolerance, accidentally consuming any cross-contaminated gluten/lactose can result in serious health consequences. Individuals within the department have expressed a lack of interest in attending certain catered events because of a lack of food options. A survey will be conducted within the near future to assess the population of individuals with dietary restrictions within the department and plan for catered events accordingly.