IDEJ-Statement

CycloCohort Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Justice (IDEJ) Statement

We aim to have a true group-based IDEJ statement: Please note that our IDEJ statement is a living document reflecting the creation, design and refinement of The CycloCohort Program, which will be revised as we become educated, incorporating ideas and actions as future members of our cohort join us (postdoctoral fellows and graduate students).

Below you will find our communal views on IDEJ matters, proposed actions to address specific IDEJ matters, important definitions and approaches for assessment of planned actions as our program is executed. Our ultimate objective is to have a group-based IDEJ statement that reflects the values and the mission of CycloCohort, helping to cultivate a team of leaders/collaborators in the study of Earth and Solar System history, and thought leaders in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and justice.

CycloCohort is dedicated to building inclusive, diverse, equitable, and just spaces in geoscience and astronomy.

We value inclusion in a geoscience/astronomy community because...

• it is fair and right.

• all voices must be heard; marginalized communities are typically not included.

• it helps us to thrive individually and together.

• it is important to de-silo our science.

• it helps us accept, value and benefit from various ways of knowing.

We value diversity in a geoscience/astronomy community because...

• it is fair and right, with links to equity and justice. For example, it is essential to have diverse voices represented and involved in decision making for issues that affect our community and world.

• it deepens and strengthens our science.

• it helps us be aware of various ways of knowing.

• it leads to innovative and creative solutions, including recognition of problems not considered before.

• it allows recognition of solutions that take into consideration cultural values.

We value equity in a geoscience/astronomy community because...

• it is fair and right.

• it will keep active and effective participants in our fields of study.

• it allows all members to be in-the-know, with access to opportunities.

We value a just geoscience/astronomy community because...

• it is fair and right.

• in a just space everyone can truly know and appreciate the value of our science.

Stating our dedication to these tenets is a first step. Below, we outline the actions that we are dedicated to undertaking in order to enact our IDEJ vision.

IDEJ Goals and Aligned Actions

CycloCohort is dedicated to three primary IDEJ goals: (1) Training and professional development of a diverse group of early career (graduate students and postdocs) and mid/late career scientists; (2) Recruitment and retention of early career scientists from underrepresented groups; (3) Fostering socially-conscious, community-engaged and equity-focused leaders in geoscience and astronomy. Meeting these goals requires specific actions, an articulation of who will enact these actions over what timeframe, and the identification of evidence that will point towards the action having been undertaken.

Important Definitions

This list is being provided to ensure that we are all using terms in the same way. Everyone (not only PIs) is encouraged to offer alternative definitions for any word, or suggest new words that should be added.

• ANTI-DEFICIT FRAMEWORK: A focus on strengths rather than challenges.

• BIAS: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

• DIVERSE/DIVERSITY: Qualities and conditions that are different from our own or the majority in a field/industry that we belong to, yet are present in other individuals or groups.

• INCLUSIVE/INCLUSIVITY: Involving diverse individuals by valuing the perspectives and contributions of all people as they impact the design and implementation of programs.

• JUSTICE: People behave in a way that is fair, equitable and balanced for everyone.

• SENSE OF BELONGING: The human emotional need to feel accepted as a member of a larger group.

• TRUST: A belief that someone or something is reliable, honest, and effective.

• UNCONSCIOUS BIAS: Social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. EVERYONE holds unconscious beliefs about various social identity groups.

*To add: Antiracist, equitable, ... (more to come!)