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It is known that disparities exist in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and more specifically astronomy and astrophysics disciplines, by gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and other dimensions of identity (and the many intersections thereof). This book responds to the critical need for astronomers to understand, operationalize, and assess the efficacy of DEI efforts on research collaboration. Within these three areas, it explores the historical context, present landscape, and best inclusion strategies that all astronomers should know while conducting science. The topics within implementation and assessment provided in this book are intended to benefit readers with the knowledge needed to remedy issues of marginalization and harassment in astronomy, and thereby increase the capacity for scientific exploration in the field.
Key Features
- Includes real-life case studies of DEI efforts with a critique of successes and shortfalls.
- Provides actionable strategies for institutions and community groups to propose, implement, and assess the efficacy of DEI policies and practices.
- Gives historical and social context on the forces that have created and perpetuated present disparities and a review of participation and outcomes in the astronomy landscape.
- Provides information to demystify decision-making structures in science, including how priorities, funding, and long-range plans are determined, and ways institutions can require greater accountability in research inclusion.
Chapter 'Are we missing out?': The authors would like to thank our colleagues in the SRC who contributed data and analysis to this chapter: Patrick Mulvey, Starr Nicholson, Jack Pold, Anne Marie Porter, and John Tyler. We also thank the National Science Foundation for its support of the Longitudinal Study of Astronomy Graduate Students (Grant 1347723).
Chapter 'Anti-Black racism workshop during the Vera C. Rubin Observatory virtual 2021 Project and Community Workshop': We thank Dara Norman, Dorian Russell, and Tim Sacco for the invitation to write this contribution and for editorial and content suggestions that improved the manuscript, Brian Nord for important feedback and discussions during the writing of the LSSTC Enabling Science 2020 proposal that partially funded the workshop, the LSST Corporation and the leadership of the Rubin Observatory for funding the workshop, Las Cumbres Observatory for administration of the LSSTC grant, the workshop and follow-up session participants, The BIPOC Project, Fiona Kanagasingam and Merle Mcgee for facilitating the workshop, the organizers of the virtual Rubin Project and Community Workshop 2021, Anissa Tanweer for feedback on the manuscript, and the additional co-PIs of the LSSTC proposal for their support (Amanda Bauer, Jeffrey D. Barr, William Brandt, Patricia Burchat, Rachel Mandelbaum, Brian Nord, Chad Schafer, Sandrine Thomas). The work of AAPM was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under contract number DE-AC02- 76SF00515.
Part I Centering the Stories
1 Detecting the Signal Amidst the Noise: Ambient Exclusion as a Barrier to Advancing Diversity in Physics and Astronomy
2 It All Starts with Relationships: Astronomical Collaborations with Indigenous Communities
3 An Accessible Future
4 Are We Missing Out?
Part II Actions in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Community
5 Overview of SDSS IV’s COINS: Achievements and Shortfalls
6 The Preparing for Astrophysics with LSST Program: Leveling the Playing Field
7 Anti-Black Racism Workshop during the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Virtual 2021 Project and Community Workshop
Part III Changing Culture and Fostering Inclusion in Collaboration
8 Team Science: An Exercise in Difference and Diversity
9 How Grantmaking Organizations Can Further DEI Goals
10 The Scientific Merit of Building and Maintaining a Culture of Inclusion in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Part IV Astronomy Activism Driving Equity and Inclusion
11 The Ways that the COVID Pandemic Amplified Inequalities in Astrophysics
12 Queering Physics through Creative Conflict
13 Keep Calm and Carry On … Nevermind the Backlash!
Part V Influencing Science Policy
14 The Infrastructure Behind National Science Funding and Priority Setting
15 The Role of Astronomers in Setting Scientific Priorities through the Decadal Survey Process
16 Scientists Belong in State and Local Politics: Strategies to Drive Equitable and Evidence-Informed Decision Making