BEYOND THE BOOK CLUB AND INTO ACTION: BUILDING COLLABORATIONS AND COMMUNITY ACROSS TIME AND SPACE (Invited Presentation)

Geoscientists are well-equipped to tackle the interdisciplinary challenges of a rapidly changing world. Typical training for these roles includes developing a background that integrates a wide program of scientific studies, and, as a result, jobs in the field tend to require skills developed across branches of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Despite the breadth of training that geoscientists develop over their programs of studies and professional expertise, the geologic discipline lacks inclusivity, equity, and justice, as documented in numerous studies. The lack of these critical principles further leads to lack of opportunity and innovation for all. While the challenges that face our research community seem insurmountable, these systems are not written in stone, and, like erosion to a river bed, systems can be worn away with time.

Given these challenges, but also possibilities, how do we as a community proceed? A common approach across geoscientific disciplines has been to sit and discuss literature in areas where they may lack expertise - particularly in diversity, equity, inclusivity, justice, accessibility, and allied fields. While this start is commendable, typically the change starts and ends in the locality of the literary discussion group.To create lasting change in our communities, we must go beyond discussion and into practice and engagement with each other. Here, I discuss possible strategies and open the conversation to other community members to continue broadening and expanding what is possible in geoscience.