Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in EAPS

Guided by our Principles of Community, EAPS is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our department, and in Earth science more generally, through actions in the following areas: 

Composition:

We seek to improve representation and participation of people from historically underrepresented groups at all levels in the department. 

Examples of current activities by our department members: 

• Recruitment efforts and fellowship support aimed at diversifying the graduate student population 
• Faculty search practices guided by best practices on promoting equity 
• LINK12 volunteer outreach program to Boston area schools
• EAPS Student Advisory Committee (E-SAC) Graduate Application Mentorship Program

Achievement:

We seek to ensure equity for all department members across key measures of success. 

Examples of current activities by our department members: 

• Peer mentoring program for undergraduate and graduate students
• Development of handbooks that clarify expectations and support structures 
• Research group-level training in inclusive mentoring 
  
   

Inclusion, belonging and well-being:

We seek to support the well-being and sense of belonging of all members of the EAPS community, and in particular those from underrepresented groups. 

Examples of current activities by our department members: 

• Affinity groups for women and department members of color: TIDE (Toward Inclusion and Diversity in EAPS) and WiXII (Women in Course 12)
• EAPS REFS Peer-to-peer conflict resolution program
• Establishment of inclusive practices for department seminars 
• Clarification of harassment reporting structures 
• Development of field and lab guidelines to promote safe environments 

Engagement and learning:

We seek to foster ongoing learning about issues at the intersection of Earth science and society, and about ways to increase diversity and inclusion. 

Examples of current activities by our department members: 

• 50 department members participating in Unlearning Racism in Geoscience
• Student-led reading group on environmental justice, racism, and accessibility in geoscience
• Regular participation in trainings on inclusive environments, implicit bias, and other topics from MIT’s Institute Community Equity Office and Teaching and Learning Lab 
  
    

Accountability:

We seek to regularly reflect and report on the status of diversity, equity and inclusion in the department with input from department members and external experts, and adjust our approaches as necessary. 

Examples of current activities by our department members: 

• Associate Department Head for DEI and department-wide DEI Committee (DEI-C), in addition to an administrative-level officer for DEI (shared with the Department of Chemistry), provide clear accountability structure (read the DEI-C charge) 
• Regular surveys of department climate and quality of life 
• Establishment of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion roadmap to internally chart progress (link requires MIT Touchstone/Kerberos login) 
• DEI-C Dashboard for sharing DEI-related data and committee minutes internally with the department (link requires MIT Touchstone/Kerberos login)