“Knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.” – Louis Pasteur

Our preparedness and potential for scientific excellence in addressing real world problems and in fundamental curiosity driven interdisciplinary research – revealing new, unimagined frontiers of science and research and further study – is a function of the friendly, well-trained and incredibly knowledgeable people that make up our community. For this reason the EAG’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee are establishing a new People Profile Series as part of the society’s web pages.

What is the purpose of these special features?

The purpose of the People Profile Series is that, when taken together, the interviews of both scientific teams and individuals provide for humanised and relatable role models representing a broad range of diversity, career paths and types, as well as ultimate career destinations. Collectively, these published interviews shall promote good professional practices and values in teams as well as providing for biographical sketches of the individuals behind community data.

How can you join in and nominate?

Email us! You may volunteer yourself or nominate others from all over the globe to feature in short interviews (answering roughly 8 to 12 of our questions) for EAG’s People Profile Series by contacting us at dei@eag.eu.com. If you prefer, you may email nominations to this committee’s members directly. Please submit names, a link to relevant professional websites (if available), name of employers, and the contact email for nominees. In addition to giving individuals prominence, we strongly encourage suggestions of groups and clusters in various employer settings, as well as transnational cooperative teams that champion sound DEI values.

Teams or any of you that have trained or who work in the broad fields of (bio)geochemistry, Earth system science, astrobiology, igneous petrogenesis, and / or cosmochemistry are invited to participate in the People Profile Series. This scheme is intended to both include and reach well beyond those presently in academia.  Whatever your career path, professional destination, or level of seniority we want to hear from and about you!

You might be:

• working in science journalism, writing, scientific illustration, broadcasting, or other communication;
• employed by a professional society separate from EAG, perhaps as a communications and outreach officer, publishing and policy coordinator, or diversity leader;
• responsible for collections curation or scientific research at a museum;
• scientists working for government;
• working in research and / or teaching in academia;
• part of a charitable organisation or a private sector body;
• scientific consultants or environmental monitoring professionals;
• high-level administrators;
• a space mission leader, astronaut (bone fide or aspiring), or a space mission team;
• scientific project managers;
• full-time editors or other roles in the publishing industry;
• developing policy, or working in environmental or space law;
• providing technical support for research or responsible for the development of new instrumentation or instrument capabilities;
• working in a national laboratory or academia, be it in research, or a combination of research, teaching, service and administration;
• teaching full-time or part-time at any level of education and among children or adults;
• working in conservation on land or at seas, or even holding a role as an explorer be it with National Geographic or another body;
• staff at major geotourism destinations, or organisers of a major science festival;
• A refugee or displaced scientist willing to share your experiences;
• undertaking some very different or unexpected work in which you may have even surprised yourself. What is it? Do tell.

In all cases, nominations are not limited to those holding current EAG membership. We very much look forward to receiving your suggestions of those to feature through this new initiative.

What types of topics might you offer?

• Reports of inclusive outreach, and other enjoyable and effective DEI initiatives;
• Stories or artistic depictions of special opportunities, uplifting collegial / collaborative and cohesive teams, camaraderie, indomitable spirit and perseverance when faced with adversity. Or other aspects of our many and varied lived experiences in both workplaces and communities;
• A reality or vision of how to lead a life with an innate sense of belonging and / or that you consider balanced and well-lived? ;
• Observations and data from your own international, national, regional, institutional or department-focused DEI work;
• Opportunities seized to shape international research agendas and / or to develop societal impact;
• Reflections or sketches that chart the importance and role of a significant scientific team or figure from history;
• Creative solutions to challenges to DEI, examples of constructive dissent, and perspectives on how systems can evolve to best empower all in curiosity, collaboration, and exemplary leadership;
• Showcasing of top-down and bottom-up approaches that smash glass ceilings or break down barriers to our inclusion of all people and their diversity of thought;
• Effective and inspiring networking and mentoring schemes or experiences;
• Short features concerning inclusive instructional practices, or other useful advances in the accessibility and friendliness of learning environments and curricula;
• Shared lessons that highlight challenges or help people to prepare well for- or be able to retire;
• Opinions (750 words or less).
  * E.g., should data collection and monitoring be instilled / improved among certain student recruitment, career pathway tracking, or funding schemes?
  * Should work on scientific culture and DEI be better valued and financially supported by institutions and funding bodies?
  * Are there particular employer or funder policies that have exacerbated rather than addressed a DEI challenge, or are there practices that have proven effective and that you’d like to see changed or better followed?
• Perspectives from government / funding agencies / organisational policy and senior leaders.
  * What are your goals and where do you concentrate your DEI efforts and focus interventions?
  * What meaningful actions have been taken to benefit work-life balance, inclusion, equity, and security for all?
  * What systems and finances are in place for those with differing mental health / physical needs, or diverse career paths?
  * How have you tackled particular jeopardy points and monitored changes made?
  * What other views or queries of the community can you discuss?
• Summaries of cooperative enterprising activities, helpful charitable efforts, or engaging SciCom;
• Or simply offerings of some other kind words and common sense.

Many enriching voices may be apparent in some areas, while the community may speak with one voice on other topics. We can only be stronger for inviting and hearing from one another in all that we do.

Handy hints and tips for accessible and inclusive writing styles can be found here:

• EGU’s promoting inclusive language, an incomplete guide
• Queen’s Inclusive Language Guidelines
• Dyslexia friendly formats

Follow @EAG_DEI

This promotional blog highlights exciting new initiatives formulated with the entire membership of European Association of Geochemistry’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and developed by the website team that includes our especially creative thinker Ernest Chi Fru. Our EAG DEI Committee is here to help, as well as to listen to and learn from your comments should you wish to contact us on any matter – dei@eag.eu.com.