IGARSS 2024 IDEA Events

EVENT 1: WOMEN IN INDUSTRY PANEL DISCUSSION

The WGRSS Industry panel discussion brought together a diverse group of women in the geosciences and remote sensing industries. The panel featured speakers from different countries and career stages, including those who successfully transitioned from academia to industry. The panelists shared their personal experiences, discussed their challenges, and offered helpful advice on navigating the male-dominated industry.  One of the most engaging discussions started when the panel was asked, “How do you deal with microaggressions?”. Microaggressions are subtle, intentional or unintentional, discriminatory remarks. In the workplace, women in STEM fields may encounter microaggressions, such as an assertive female manager being labeled as ‘Bossy’ while her male counterpart is described as a ‘Good leader’.

The panelists shared strategies for addressing these microaggressions, including direct communication, seeking support from allies, and educating others. By openly discussing these challenges, the panelist showed how important it is to have female representation in the industry and empowered women in GRSS to follow their career plans.

EVENT 2: DIVERSITY IN GRSS LUNCHEON

The Diversity in GRSS Luncheon was a resounding success at this year’s IGARSS. The event emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the remote sensing community. By naming “Diversity in GRSS,” the luncheon aimed to promote a more inclusive environment that
welcomes individuals of all genders and nationalities.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation by Dr. Cecilia “Niki” Clark from the U.S. and Srashti Singh from India, a mentor-mentee duo funded by the Women Mentoring Women program to join IGARSS24. Their inspiring talk showcased the power of mentorship in empowering women in the field of remote sensing. By sharing their personal experiences, they demonstrated how the program provided invaluable support and opportunities to attend conferences like IGARSS and advance their careers. In addition to the inspiring talks, the luncheon featured a fun and engaging country bingo game, which encouraged attendees to network and learn more about each other’s cultural backgrounds. This interactive activity fostered a sense of community among the participants. Winners of the bingo game were rewarded with exciting prizes, adding an extra layer of fun to the event. The Diversity in GRSS Luncheon was a memorable event that celebrated diversity, promoted mentorship, and inspired attendees to work together to create a more inclusive and equitable future for the geosciences and remote sensing community.

EVENT 3: BREAKFAST LECTURE

Dr. Germain discussed the critical steps needed to address climate change and how NASA’s Earth Sciences division is breaking new ground to find solutions. She highlighted tools that NASA is using to improve water management in the Western U.S. and emphasized the power of diversity in science teams, stating, “Diverse and inclusive science communities lead to better questions. At NASA, we aim for excellence, and you can’t achieve that without everyone at the table.” While she expressed optimism and hope about the tools we have to solve the climate crisis, she emphasized that we must act swiftly, as the urgency of global climate challenges demands immediate action.

EVENT 4: YP/IDEA SPEED MENTORING

The speed mentoring event was a unique opportunity to encourage mentorship connections and highlight the IDEA projects Women Mentoring Women and YP RISE UP Mentorship. Inspired by the popular concept of speed dating, the event paired participants as mentors and mentees based on their work experience in academia and the industry. During six-minute networking sessions, participants engaged in dynamic conversations, sharing their research interests and career goals and seeking advice from experienced mentors. To make the interactions more enjoyable, prompt questions were provided to spark conversations, creating an engaging event for both extroverts and introverts!

Beyond promoting specific mentorship programs, the event aimed to show the power of mentorship in career development. By connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds and experience levels, the speed mentoring format offered a valuable platform for participants to expand their professional networks, gain new perspectives, and discover career opportunities. Overall, the event was successful, with participants enjoying connecting with like-minded individuals and exploring potential mentorship relationships.

EVENT 5: BRIDGING WORLDS: INDIGENOUS LED INNOVATION

For the first time, IGARSS2024 through the IDEA Committee, hosted an Indigenous-led panel discussion on sustainable development through remote sensing. We’ve gathered three representatives of Indigenous communities from Ecuador, Mexico and Canada who are doing work in the field of mapping, geoscience and remote sensing. The event focused on sharing their current programs and perspectives of what needs to be done in order to attain mutual understanding and respect.

Based on the feedback form where some of the audiences responded, 80% thought that the session increased their understanding of Indigenous issues and perspectives, gained new information, and are likely to attend future events focused on Indigenous inclusion and representation. Meanwhile, 60% are more likely to engage with Indigenous communities or issues as a result of this session.