DOUBLING DOWN: NEW CHALLENGES AND COMMITMENTS FOR ADDRESSING LONG-STANDING DEI ISSUES FOR AGU AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) adopted a diversity and inclusion strategic plan in 2018; and, in 2019, put in place a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to help assure progress towards our diversity equity and inclusion goals. AGU has also recently established a new Strategic Plan which outlines three primary organizational strategic goals to (1) catalyze discovery and solutions to scientific and societal challenges; (2) promote and exemplify an inclusive scientific culture; and (3) partner broadly with other organizations and sectors to effectively address scientific and societal challenges. However, the recent COVID-19 impacts and simultaneous major social protest in response to long-standing U.S. racial issues have created additional challenges for scientific societies’ awareness and resolve to assure accomplishing objectives across all programming, including for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This presentation will highlight the unique role that professional societies can play to help change the culture in science, technology engineering and math (STEM) fields for all participants, including addressing issues of race and racism. AGU progress to date—including recent initiatives across AGU programs, the work of the AGU D&I Advisory Committee, and our work with scientific societies partners—plus remaining challenges to advance DEI-related practices, and to track the impact of these changes, will be discussed.