Examining the Elimination of racial Bias in Earth Sciences

Examining the Elimination of racial Bias in Earth Sciences

The Scripps URGE Pod, a group dedicated to promoting accessibility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the field of geosciences, was established in Spring 2021. This initiative, part of the National EDI program Unlearning Racism in Geoscience (URGE), is funded by the NSF and is open to anyone who wants to join.

The Scripps URGE Pod is structured into six subpods, each focusing on specific areas for improvement. These subpods work tirelessly to develop deliverables that review topics, create actionable suggestions, and propose policies aimed at making the department and the geoscience field more equitable and inclusive.

1. Curriculum Reform Subpod The Curriculum Reform Subpod is dedicated to developing anti-racist and inclusive teaching materials for geoscience courses. They aim to recommend curriculum changes that integrate social justice, the history of racism in science, and environmental justice topics. The subpod suggests incorporating readings and case studies highlighting the contributions of underrepresented groups, using inclusive language and examples in course content, and encouraging critical discussions about systemic racism and equity in science.
2. Community and Climate Subpod The Community and Climate Subpod focuses on assessing and improving the department's climate and inclusivity. They develop resources and workshops on recognizing and addressing microaggressions and implicit bias. The subpod recommends implementing regular climate surveys and feedback mechanisms, facilitating open forums and safe spaces for discussions about race and belonging, and providing training sessions on allyship and anti-racism.
3. Recruitment and Retention Subpod The Recruitment and Retention Subpod works on strategies and metrics to improve the recruitment and retention of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) students and faculty. They suggest developing partnerships with minority-serving institutions, offering mentorship programs tailored for underrepresented groups, and reviewing and revising application and evaluation criteria to reduce bias.
4. Research Practices Subpod The Research Practices Subpod focuses on recommendations for ethical and inclusive research designs. They propose protocols to engage with communities affected by geoscience research respectfully. The subpod encourages promoting community-based participatory research models, encouraging transparency and accountability in research impacts, and training researchers on cultural competence.
5. Outreach and Education Subpod The Outreach and Education Subpod focuses on outreach materials and programs targeting diverse K-12 students and public audiences. They suggest hosting geoscience workshops and camps for underrepresented youth, creating accessible online resources highlighting diversity in geosciences, and partnering with local schools and community organizations.

The Scripps URGE Pod's work is centred on making the department and the geoscience field more equitable, inclusive, and aware of systemic racism. Their deliverables include concrete policy proposals, educational content, community engagement plans, and institutional strategies for lasting change.

For the latest or more detailed information, you might check Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s official URGE Pod reports or publications. You can contact Carlene Burton at c1burton@our website or Dr. Vashan Wright at vwright@our website for more information about the Scripps URGE Pod. The contact information for the Scripps URGE Pod can also be found on their website, sio-urge@our website.

1. To further promote inclusivity in the geoscience field, the Health-and-Wellness Subpod could collaborate with the Curriculum Reform Subpod to develop teaching resources that address mental health, well-being, and resilience of students, incorporating discussions on intersectionality and the impact of systemic racism on the physical and mental health of underrepresented groups in science.
2. As part of an initiative for increased diversity and inclusion in the business sector, the Finance Subpod could work with the Scripps URGE Pod to assess funding gaps and resource allocations within the geoscience department, providing recommendations for targeted grants and scholarships to support BIPOC students, as well as develop policies for equitable research funding and partnerships with diverse institutions.

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