BROADENING THE PERSPECTIVE OF GEOSCIENCE DIVERSITY IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

New insight has emerged over the past decade into mechanisms for improving diversity across the geosciences. Publications and programs associated with the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the International Association for Geoscience Diversity (IAGD), as well as technical sessions and diversity receptions at geoscience society meetings continue to promote geoscience diversity. While these efforts to diversify the geoscience workforce have improved awareness and generated programs aimed at increasing graduation rates across genders and ethnicities, persons with physical disabilities continue to be underrepresented in the geosciences. There are many potential factors that cause the lack of enrollment in geoscience training programs for students with disabilities. Ultimately, limited enrollment has a major impact on the number of professional geoscientists with disabilities who are transitioning into the geoscience workforce.

This presentation will discuss current research on access and accommodation in current geoscience training programs; promote the perception of current geoscience faculty and professionals with respect to accessible disciplines; and will continue to encourage dialogue within the geoscience community about promoting pathways to the geoscience workforce through enhanced access and inclusion in geoscience training programs for students and geoscientists with disabilities, an underrepresented population in the geoscience workforce.