External DEI Efforts

The CDI maintains membership and representatives in national DEI networks. The goal is to connect with other department members working on efforts to improve culture in physics, increase diversity and ensure equity and inclusion for all members in physics.

National networks allow us to remain up-to-date on latest research and continue to develop new programming and initiatives for our department.

The APS Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (APS-IDEA) is a new initiative with a mission of empowering and supporting physics departments, laboratories, and other organizations to identify and enact strategies for improving equity, diversity, and inclusion.The network works to provide a supportive environment to:

  • exchange ideas, information, and experiences
  • deepen knowledge of research and effective practices
  • develop or improve EDI strategic plans
  • discuss various EDI initiatives and reports from physics and related disciplines
  • learn about theories of change
  • begin planning IDEA’s programs

Our local IDEA team has been working with this national network since 2020. In addition to participating in regular DEI strategy meetings and small-group discussions, our team has worked on a few hallmark initiatives, including:

  • Creation of a repository for DEI initiatives and ideas
  • Expansion of structures and programming for Physics Scholars Program

If you are interested in joining the team, you can email us at [email protected] to get involved with this project.

The AIP TEAM-UP Project spent two years investigating the reasons for the persistent underrepresentation of African Americans in physics and astronomy and produced a report with its findings. The goal of the program is to double the number of undergraduate degrees in physics and astronomy awarded by 2030. Their work is summarized in a groundbreaking report.

Our local TEAM-UP team has been working with this national network since 2020. In addition to attending implementation workshops, our team has worked on a few hallmark initiatives, including:

  • Recommendations for a department-wide community survey
  • First-week interventions in 1400 recitations
  • Funding for conflict resolution training for PhysREFs

If you are interested in joining the team, you can email us at [email protected] to get involved with this project.