Astronomy & Astrophysics Colloquium: Ed Bertschinger - Space for All of us: Inclusion and Belonging in 2024

Elite universities have never been more demographically diverse, produced more equitable outcomes, nor been more inclusive. Yet many faculty do not feel a sense of belonging and many students do not feel heard. This talk will show how to understand these differences using three kinds of data: demographics, climate survey data, and policies and practices. Individual stories and narratives prove to be crucial.

The use of data to inform departmental change efforts will be illustrated using projects from professional societies in physics and astronomy: AIP TEAM-UP, AAAS and AAPT SEA Change, and the APS and AAPT EP3 Guide. The MIT Physics Mentor Program provides an example of how a department can enhance belonging and inclusion for all students.