Statement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
At GFDL, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility are moral imperatives. They are an essential part of our Core Values, governing our code of conduct, and guiding our every action and goal.
The GFDL mission is to be a world leader in the development of comprehensive, integrated and unified models of the Earth system comprising the atmosphere, oceans, land, biosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems; and application of these models for the seamless understanding, predictions and projections of the Earth system, from hours to decades and from global-to-regional spatial scales, accounting for natural variations and forced changes.
Meeting this mission requires innovation, strong collaborations, and teamwork. Innovation within an organization is highly fostered when the constituents’ diverse perspectives, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds are included, welcomed, respected, considered, and valued. GFDL is committed to fostering a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, interactive, accessible, and equitable community in order to fulfill the NOAA mission objectives and exercise improved leadership in science, service, and stewardship.
DEIA Committee Mission
GFDL Leadership supports efforts to identify and address barriers to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility both within the GFDL community and within OAR and NOAA. As a result of our 2019 Laboratory Review, a Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee has been formed to interface with the GFDL Director, Deputy Director, and Associate Director, providing strategic suggestions and advice for developing new policy recommendations and bring DEIA matters into consideration in the Lab’s decision process.
The committee can be reached via email at: oar.gfdl.deia.cmte@noaa.gov
Current activities
This is a non-exhaustive list of efforts that are being undertaken towards reaching our long-term goals of promoting DEIA at GFDL. These activities are based on input from the GFDL community following the 2019 GFDL lab review. This list will be updated semi-annually by the DEIA committee in an effort to be transparent and accountable.
- Creating a GFDL DEIA statement
- Making DEIA actions sustainable on the long-term
- Establishing regular focus sessions with the various constituents of the GFDL community
Definitions of DEIA
Diversity within an institution requires the recruitment, retention, development, and fair and equitable opportunity for advancement of people with a range of different identities, backgrounds, views, and experiences. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, demographic diversity (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation), experiential diversity (e.g., affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive diversity (e.g., sensory processing and problem solving) and the intersection thereof.
Equity is the pursuit of equal access to resources and opportunities for all community members while fully recognizing and correcting for and revising existing systems and structures. Equity requires determining existing barriers and addressing those barriers directly.
Inclusion is a culture of welcoming, accommodating and appreciating the unique attributes and experiences and backgrounds of all. An inclusive environment is supportive; fosters trust; guarantees psychological and physical safety; allows for equal access; and thus, provides a sense of belonging. Inclusion requires active and intentional engagement on the part of every member in our community.
Accessibility is the purposeful design of products, services, platforms, or environments such that they are usable by people with disabilities. Accessibility measures often provide co-benefits that improve equity and inclusion for people with disabilities and diverse other identities.