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| Dayna Thompson (left) and Simona Mei (right) are the project lead and coordinator, respectively, of #ItHappensInSTEM, a project that arose from a sub-group within International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion. Credit: Ball State University and Université de Paris. |
In any community, there is unfortunately the chance for discrimination, bullying, and harassment. This is why the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion is collecting stories and instances from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) community surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is their hope that by speaking up about how #ItHappensInSTEM, they can promote awareness and help bring about structural change.
Anyone who is part of the STEM community is encouraged to fill out and share the anonymous submission form. People can also share their stories on social media using #ItHappensInSTEM; however, only information shared directly to the form will be used to create the resulting project documents as the project team is committed to respecting the anonymity of individuals and institutions.
The form is set up so that it lists definitions of terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as cultural appropriation and bullying. It then asks people to provide a relevant instance in a STEM organization or situation that relates to that term. “Sometimes, people are unsure how exactly the STEM fields are affected by issues such as ableism or intimidation. But when a definition is paired with a direct example of how or where the concept is seen in the field, it gives the reader a concrete perspective to consider,” Thompson explains. “This is why we need real-life stories and examples submitted by the STEM community.” Mei adds, “we will also be able to analyze the responses for any trends that appear within certain disciplines of STEM, or within the STEM community at large.”
Anyone who is part of the STEM community is encouraged to fill out and share the anonymous submission form. People can also share their stories on social media using #ItHappensInSTEM; however, only information shared directly to the form will be used to create the resulting project documents as the project team is committed to respecting the anonymity of individuals and institutions.
“I know some people may think,‘who am I to say anything or share my story here?’ But those are the people who we really need to hear from. These people, in addition to those who have already been speaking out for some time, will give us a better idea as to how we can progress forward together. I hope that this project motivates people to speak up about their experiences—and provides them the security of knowing they will be heard,” Thompson explains.
Where exactly did this idea come from? Well, the idea to include examples alongside important terms actually came from roller derby, of all places. “I first saw this setup outlined in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s Code of Conduct Toolkit and it inspired me to create a form with the project team to show how #ItHappensInSTEM too,” Thompson said. “The project evolved a great deal over time, thanks to the entire project team.”
The resulting project documents will be used to strengthen future initiatives, including making updates to policies and procedures (codes of conduct, bylaws, etc.), and drafting grant proposals and workshop materials aimed at fostering healthy practices and systems surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. Submissions will not be used to investigate specific individuals.
Where exactly did this idea come from? Well, the idea to include examples alongside important terms actually came from roller derby, of all places. “I first saw this setup outlined in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s Code of Conduct Toolkit and it inspired me to create a form with the project team to show how #ItHappensInSTEM too,” Thompson said. “The project evolved a great deal over time, thanks to the entire project team.”
The resulting project documents will be used to strengthen future initiatives, including making updates to policies and procedures (codes of conduct, bylaws, etc.), and drafting grant proposals and workshop materials aimed at fostering healthy practices and systems surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. Submissions will not be used to investigate specific individuals.
More information about the project and the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion is at: https://iau-oao.nao.ac.jp/iau-inclusion/
Please feel free to share this information with as many people as possible to help the project better reach the STEM community worldwide! Dayna and Simona can be reached at ithappensinSTEM@gmail.com.
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