Inclusion and Equity in Physics & Astronomy

• Reporting issues and concerns
• Getting support
• Policies
• Best Practices
• Inclusion and Equity Committee
• Additional Documents

Value Statement

Physics and Astronomy are best done in an inclusive environment. The students, staff, and faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy are committed to professional interactions, with respect and consideration of the rich and diverse backgrounds of all its members. We expect each member of our Department to encourage and support a culture of equity and inclusion of all social identities in all activities in which we participate, and to uphold all Ohio University diversity policies.

Reporting Issues and Concerns

• For issues specific to the Physic and Astronomy Department, you may want to contact one of your professors, your research advisor, the Physics and Astronomy Department chair Dr. Eric Stinaff or the Physics and Astronomy ombuds-person Dr. Kordesch.
• Reporting with The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (CSSR) ("Community Standard Incident report", "Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Incident Report" and "Academic Misconduct Incident Report"): The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility aims to advance the educational mission of Ohio University and the Division of Student Affairs by providing meaningful opportunities for students to learn what it means to be a member of the Ohio University community and the Bobcat Family.
• Reporting with The Office of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance (ECRC) ("Sexual misconduct" and "Discrimination/bias"): ECRC ensures that the University maintains an employment and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. ECRC monitors the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination based on protected status.
• Reporting with the Title IX officer: The Title IX Coordinator can be reached by email at titleix@ohio.edu or phone at 740-593-9140.

Getting Support at Ohio University and Within our Professional Associations

At Ohio University

• Academic Support
• Commuter Student Services, First Generation Students, Transfer Students, Veteran and Military Students, Multicultural Students, Student Accessibility Services, Pride Center, International Student and Scholar Services, Women's Center
• Students challenged by basic needs: Bobcats Helping Bobcats is a way for students, staff and faculty to support students on the Athens campus who are experiencing emergencies that may impact their overall well-being and ability to be successful in college.
• Confidential resources: Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Care (Student Health Center), Survivor Advocay Program (SAP), Employee Assistance Program.
• Ohio University's recognized Employee Affinity Organizations: Council of Employees and Staff of African Descent (COESAD) , Latino Caucus, Out OHIO, Ohio University Women's club, University Interfaith Association.

Professional Societies

• Information compiled by the American Institute of Physics (AIP Diversity Initiative)
  • Scholarship and Awards: Awards, fellowships, scholarships and other funding sources are available for under-represented minorities in physics.
  • Services and Programs: Programs, courses, and other services--such as newsletters or reduced membership fees—provided by AIP's Member Societies to support under-represented minorities in physics. AIP's Member Societies are ASA, AAPM, AAPT, AOS, ACA, AMS, APS, AVS, OSA and SR. (see here)
• Under Represented Populations:
  • National Society of Hispanic Physicists.
  • Black Physicists:
    • National Society of Black Physicists,
    • A more complete list of association of Black people in STEM is compiled here
    • African American Women in Physics
    • Black in Physics (Physics Today special number)
  • Indigenous Physicists:
    • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
    • Society of Indigenous Physicists
    • American Indian Science and Engineering Society 
  • Women: APS, AAS
  • LGBTQ+: APS, AAS
• Self-organized groups:
  • Mental health in physics support group organized by Dr. Welsh from Georgia Tech.]

Best Practices for Diversity Inclusion and Equity

In Physics & Astronomy

• Respect is part of research, web site, 2020.
• LGBT+ Inclusivity in Physics and Astronomy: A Best Practices Guide, APS, 85 pages, 2018.
• The Time Is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor's Degrees in Physics and Astronomy, AIP, 182 pages, 2020.
• Final Report of the 2018 AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education, American Astronomical Society
• Effective Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Women in Physics, American Physical Society
• APS Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance and An IDEA for Physics Organizations,
• Best Practices & Guidelines for Achieving Inclusivity at Meetings, by AIP
• Statistics & Report on Diversity by AIP. Surveys and other data-driven reports on the representation of minority populations in physics.

At Ohio University

• Division of Diversity and Inclusion of Ohio University

Ohio University Policies

• 03.003: Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
• 03.004: Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking
• 03.006: Whistle-blowing and Retaliation
• 04.001: Information Technology Accessibility
• 12.021: Student Names
• 40.001: Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity
• 40.121: Recruitment and Selection of Faculty and Staff
• 41.135: Workplace Violence
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave: Pregnancy accommodation form for students and employees, Parental Paid Leave of Absence Policy for Graduate students, Parental leave for employees

Inclusion and Equity Committee of the Physics & Astronomy Department

The goals of the committee are to assess the diversity, inclusion and equity climate of the P&A department, to affirm and communicate those values within the department and to research and implement best practices.

• Roster of the Inclusion and Equity Commitee: J. Frantz, S. Ulloa, and J. Roche.
  Please feel free to contact committee members with any generic issues or concerns you may have about diversity, inclusion and equity climate in the department. We encourage you to report specific and personal issues to the persons and offices listed above in the section Reporting issues
• OneDrive directory: to get access ask Roche.
• IE actions in the department (please send corrections and additions)
  • Join the APS-IDEA initiative on behalf of the department. Our local team is made up of R. Baker, K. Brandenburg, C. Burgad, K. Ferris. J. Frantz, S. Sudebi, E. Rice, J.Roche. A. Shamoumehr, S. Ulloa and S. Upadhyay.
  • Support SPS and WIPHA lunches (here)
  • Invite Inclusion, Diversity and Equity colloquium speakers (eg Fa2020: G. Cochran (slides), Sp2020: E. Bertschinger (slides), 2019: W. Rogers )
  • Support travel to Inclusion, Diversity and Equity national meetings: CUWIP, RPR, ...
  • Facilitate or track IDE trainings: e.g. SVSH prevention training for grad students (assigned by the CAS dean), RPR student-led workshop...
  • Share leadership with students: e.g. TA assignment audits by graduate students

Additional Documents

• Commentary: Disentangling anti-Blackness from physics C. D. Brown III
• #ShutDownAcademia, #ShutDownSTEM, #BlackInTheIvory, White Academia: Do Better
• Particles for Justice