IAU Kickstarts Action on Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
This post is adapted from an International Astronomical Union press release:
The IAU has published the document Springboard to Action (download the PDF), which outlines concrete actions that can be taken by individuals, national members, and national organizations to improve equity, inclusion, and diversity in astronomy. Springboard to Action builds on the discussions carried out at IAU Symposium 358, “Astronomy for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: A Roadmap to Action Within the Framework of the IAU Centennial Anniversary,” held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2019 bringing together 124 participants from 31 different countries. This document is a legacy of the IAU’s centenary celebrations, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), and the activities of the IAU Working Group on Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion. It also expands on the IAU’s Code of Conduct (PDF) and the IAU 2020–2030 Strategic Plan (PDF).
The mission of the IAU is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects (including research, communication, education, and development) through international cooperation. A key development has been the establishment of the four IAU Offices to support the IAU mission and work toward the diverse and representative global astronomical community it envisions.
The IAU has been active in equity, inclusion, and diversity for many years, starting with its travel grants to enhance diverse participation at IAU scientific meetings. More recent highlights of the IAU’s efforts include Inspiring Stars, an itinerant exhibit on astronomy for inclusion; Hands in the Stars, the first international comparative list of astronomical words in sign languages; several projects on astronomy for the visually impaired; sign language and captioning of talks at IAU symposia; the IAU100 global projects carried out in 143 countries with the specific IAU100 theme “Inclusive Astronomy” supporting events like the IAU100 Women and Girls in Astronomy, NameExoWorlds, and Astronomy Day in Schools; and IYA2009 activities such as the Galileoscope project.
The IAU is committed to creating an environment of equity, inclusion, and diversity through the promotion and implementation of policies, structures, and programs that ensure access and opportunity to every individual who aspires to participate in astronomy and astrophysics. Realization of this goal requires everyone’s involvement, from students to educators to research professionals. Springboard to Action sets out recommendations for improving and promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity.
IAU National and Individual Members are encouraged to work with their governmental organizations to support sustainable structural changes in favor of equity, inclusion, and diversity, e.g., from gathering statistics in astronomy to scholarships that support these goals.
“Equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout all our activities in education and research will ensure that astronomy remains innovative and vibrant, and a truly global science,” says IAU Division C President Susana Deustua.
“A particular strength of the IAU is its worldwide network: let's make sure we use it to the fullest to achieve a more diverse and inclusive astronomical community,” adds IAU President Ewine van Dishoeck.