Presentation Information
[U10-03]EGU reaffirms and strengthens its commitment to EDI values in a changing world★Invited Papers
*Pieter van der Beek1, Lisa Wingate2, Maria-Helena Ramos3, Ira Didenkulova4, Barbara Ervens5, Marian Holness6, Philippe Courtial7 (1.University of Potsdam, Germany. EGU President, 2.INRAE Bordeaux, France. Chair, EGU EDI Committee, 3.INRAE Antony, France. Co-chair, EGU Programme Committee, 4.University of Oslo, Norway. Co-chair, EGU Programme Committee, 5.University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Chair, EGU Publications Committee, 6.University of Cambridge, UK. EGU Vice-president, 7.European Geosciences Union, Munich, Germany. EGU Executive Director)
With EDI values being questioned and pressured in different countries around the world, the European Geosciences Union unambiguously reaffirms the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion as a crucial foundation for creative and collaborative research and discovery. Creating and supporting an inclusive and equitable scientific community is essential to conducting cutting-edge scientific research that addresses fundamental questions about socially relevant environmental challenges; a central part of EGU’s vision.
In order to implement this vision, EGU has developed numerous initiatives to support the wider inclusion of those who have traditionally been underrepresented in the geosciences. EGU fosters a community that welcomes diverse researchers and creates financial support opportunities to help overcome barriers to conference participation and scientific publishing. As a bottom-up organisation, we welcome new ideas on how we can enhance EDI initiatives and support in science. Our code of conduct is regularly revised; enforced through nominated Persons of Trust and an independent Ethics Committee, it sets out standards and expectations for our members and officers.
Over the last years, EGU has further strengthened its commitment to EDI in many ways. We provide financial support, such as free registration and travel support for the annual General Assembly for participants in economically disadvantaged countries. Article processing charges to publish in our journals are carefully calculated to be inclusive and transparent, including full waivers to authors from lower-income countries. We have recently developed a support scheme that provides waivers for publications, membership and registration for the General Assembly to scientists affected by an ongoing emergency. We have also initiated a successful EDI Participation Support scheme for the General Assembly, allowing participants to request specific support in case they face financial challenges related to career transitions, caregiving responsibilities, disabilities or special assistance needs.
With the EGU General Assembly being the largest and most prominent gathering of geoscientists in Europe, it is crucial that this space is welcoming, inclusive and safe for all attendees, both on-site and online. We thus have maintained and further developed the hybrid format of the meeting, initiated in 2020. We care to provide a way for those who cannot participate on-site (due to, e.g., parenting or caring requirements, health or geographical challenges) to present their science and have access to high-level international scientific networking. At the same time, we continue to provide on-site attendees with free child-care options and a peer support program that links experienced and novice attendees. A new bottom-up initiative addresses the challenges that such a large conference may present for neurodiverse participants.
EGU celebrates the efforts of those working to make change through its Champion(s) for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, and promotes EDI values by providing training and support to its volunteers in Council and Editorial boards, and to the general membership, providing opportunities to learn more about the complexity of intersectional EDI issues that affect many geoscientists. We provide networking opportunities for systemically disadvantaged groups through dedicated sessions and events at the General Assembly, as well as dedicated community spaces to gather and share resources. Finally, our new EGU Ambassadors initiative aims to enable appointed members to promote EGU’s values for an inclusive, equitable and independent scientific community, in which everyone feels welcome and can thrive. The EGU Ambassadors will act as influential advocates for the geosciences in Europe and beyond, engaging with local research communities to promote and safeguard EGU’s values and vision.
In order to implement this vision, EGU has developed numerous initiatives to support the wider inclusion of those who have traditionally been underrepresented in the geosciences. EGU fosters a community that welcomes diverse researchers and creates financial support opportunities to help overcome barriers to conference participation and scientific publishing. As a bottom-up organisation, we welcome new ideas on how we can enhance EDI initiatives and support in science. Our code of conduct is regularly revised; enforced through nominated Persons of Trust and an independent Ethics Committee, it sets out standards and expectations for our members and officers.
Over the last years, EGU has further strengthened its commitment to EDI in many ways. We provide financial support, such as free registration and travel support for the annual General Assembly for participants in economically disadvantaged countries. Article processing charges to publish in our journals are carefully calculated to be inclusive and transparent, including full waivers to authors from lower-income countries. We have recently developed a support scheme that provides waivers for publications, membership and registration for the General Assembly to scientists affected by an ongoing emergency. We have also initiated a successful EDI Participation Support scheme for the General Assembly, allowing participants to request specific support in case they face financial challenges related to career transitions, caregiving responsibilities, disabilities or special assistance needs.
With the EGU General Assembly being the largest and most prominent gathering of geoscientists in Europe, it is crucial that this space is welcoming, inclusive and safe for all attendees, both on-site and online. We thus have maintained and further developed the hybrid format of the meeting, initiated in 2020. We care to provide a way for those who cannot participate on-site (due to, e.g., parenting or caring requirements, health or geographical challenges) to present their science and have access to high-level international scientific networking. At the same time, we continue to provide on-site attendees with free child-care options and a peer support program that links experienced and novice attendees. A new bottom-up initiative addresses the challenges that such a large conference may present for neurodiverse participants.
EGU celebrates the efforts of those working to make change through its Champion(s) for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, and promotes EDI values by providing training and support to its volunteers in Council and Editorial boards, and to the general membership, providing opportunities to learn more about the complexity of intersectional EDI issues that affect many geoscientists. We provide networking opportunities for systemically disadvantaged groups through dedicated sessions and events at the General Assembly, as well as dedicated community spaces to gather and share resources. Finally, our new EGU Ambassadors initiative aims to enable appointed members to promote EGU’s values for an inclusive, equitable and independent scientific community, in which everyone feels welcome and can thrive. The EGU Ambassadors will act as influential advocates for the geosciences in Europe and beyond, engaging with local research communities to promote and safeguard EGU’s values and vision.