Our Vision
GRSS actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) across the Society and becomes a leader in DEIAB excellence within the scientific community, IEEE, and beyond.
Our Mission
GRSS will strive to broaden diversity at all levels of the Society including but not limited to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, age, and parental status. GRSS will be a Society that promotes equity, inclusiveness, accessibility, and a sense of belonging in the services and resources it provides to its membership.
GRSS develops and executes a DEIAB strategic plan that commits to making measurable progress on diversity based on defined performance criteria and an established timeline. It creates a roadmap to foster institutional change, remove barriers, and champion initiatives that promote a Society where all feel included, valued, respected, and engaged.
Defining D+E+I+A+B
At its core, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) represents our commitment to embracing all individuals and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities, feels welcome, and can contribute without barriers.
Click on each letter to view a definition of each of these unique and important components.
Diversity (D) is about the dimensions, qualities, and characteristics that define us. Our identity is typically intersectional given that many traits define who we are (race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, etc.).
Equity (E) ensures that access, resources, and opportunities are provided for all to succeed. The terms equity and equality are not interchangeable. Treating everyone the same (equality) does not recognize an individual’s needs, in particular for those from underrepresented and historically disadvantaged populations.
Inclusion (I) provides all with an opportunity to sit at the table and to cocreate. A culture of inclusion embraces, respects, and values diversity.
Accessibility (A) is the intentional design and construction of facilities; information and communication technologies; programs; services; and policies so that all can fully and independently benefit from them.
Belonging (B) is the outcome of inclusion and signifies a sense of being accepted and welcomed. Belonging is difficult to measure, but one senses almost immediately its presence or absence.
Who We Are
Heather McNairn
DEIAB Co-chair, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Mariko Burgin
Member, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mary Morris
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Zeinab Akhavanhamzeh
Member, University of Waterloo
Hamid Jafarzadeh
Member, Memorial University
Ashish Mishra
Member, Indian Institute of Technology - Roorkee
Vicky Vanthof
IDEA Co-Chair, University of Waterloo
Sureka Thiruchittampalam
University of New South Wales
Stephanie Tumampos
Social Media Lead, Technical University of Munich
Ying Yang
Nanjing University
Paola Valdez
IEEE TA Operations & Volunteers Services
Katie Becker Colon
GRSS Operations Manager, Conference Catalysts
Our Initiatives
Review of GRSS Awards
Did you know that GRSS provides awards in 4 categories?
- Major Awards
- Special Awards
- Publication Awards
- Symposium Awards
www.grss-ieee.org/resources/awards/
GRSS is undergoing a review of all awards to advance our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across our nomination and selection processes and procedures.
Data Surveys
Annually, GRSS gathers data to benchmark the diversity of our membership, editors, awards, as well as conference attendees, committees and keynote speakers.
These data are important to help GRSS understand our areas of strength and where we can make improvements for our members.
Supporting Caregivers
At IGARSS 2023, GRSS provided a lactation room to support caretakers, and a family room where conference attendees could gather to spend time with accompanying children.
IGARSS 2023 also provided free access to the conference for children under 12. It was exciting to see so many young children in attendance, encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers!
Check back to learn more about efforts to make GRSS events Family Friendly!
DEIAB Resource Corner
ARTICLES
Swartz TH, Palermo AS, Masur SK, Aberg JA. The Science and Value of Diversity: Closing the Gaps in Our Understanding of Inclusion and Diversity. J Infect Dis. 2019 Aug 20;220(220 Suppl 2):S33-S41. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz174. PMID: 31430380; PMCID: PMC6701939.
Marin-Spiotta, E., Barnes, R.T., Berhe, A.A., Hastings, M.G., Mattheis, A., Schneider, B., and Williams, B.M. Hostile climates are barriers to diversifying the geosciences. Advances in Geosciences. 2020, 53:117-127. doi:10.5194/adgeo-53-117-2020.
Working Together with IEEE to Advance DEIAB
As a member Society of IEEE, GRSS works closely with IEEE committees to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and a sense of belonging for our members.
Stay connected with wider IEEE initiatives and resources on Diversity & Inclusion. Find out more here and here.
