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IEEE Introduces New IEEE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Website

By lmecum

To further promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the IEEE and the engineering profession, the organization has launched a new website that contains a wealth of information, resources, and tools for members, volunteers, and the broader community. Developed by the IEEE Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Professional Ethics, this website builds on the momentum of recent diversity and inclusion actions across the IEEE, including adoption of the IEEE Diversity Statement in 2020 and a significant overhaul of reporting and adjudication process for ethics violations released earlier this year.

The website launch also follows the reaffirmed statement of the president, past president, and president-elect of IEEE, which states that “IEEE is, and remains, strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we see no place for hatred and discrimination in our communities.”

The platform lists a variety of IEEE resources such as its nondiscrimination policy, code of ethics, and accessibility statement. The new site also highlights ongoing efforts by various IEEE groups that are taking action toward building a diverse, equitable, and welcoming environment such as IEEE regions and geographic units, technical societies, the IEEE Board of Directors, Technical Activities Board committees, and IEEE Women in Engineering.

In addition, the website includes links to resources that are taking initiative in the diversity, equity, and inclusion arena. “The website will serve as a critical resource for our members, volunteers, and the broader engineering community. It will showcase the importance of diversity in creating technology to benefit humanity, provide resources for awareness and best practices around diversity, inclusion, and equity, and inspire through storytelling about diverse members and their impact. I envision this website as a catalyst to improve diversity, inclusion and equity in the IEEE and in the profession” says Andrea Goldsmith, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Professional Ethics.

The new web presence further reflects IEEE’s longstanding commitment to engage diverse perspectives for the betterment of the engineering profession, ensuring a welcoming environment that equitably engages, supports, and recognizes the diverse individuals dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

In June 2021, the Society supported another Pride Month talk given by JanMell Dugenio, Trinity College Dublin, on, “The Persistent Struggle for Pride in the Philippines: A Case Study of the Status of Queer People in STEM in a Developing Country.” She addressed the importance of LGBTQIA+ visibility in STEM, how diversity and inclusion can lead to innovation, and the need for mentorship resources for marginalized groups and the queer community. As a trans woman in STEM, from a developing country, Dugenio expressed the journey of applying for a Ph.D. position, emigrating from her home country, and the challenges she faced along the way. The stories of LGBTQIA+ scientific leaders, like this, can serve as inspiration, motivation and a model for others to follow. To learn more about IEEE Pride in Photonics, visit: bit.ly/2XbVh1J

Visit the DEI Website, here: bit.ly/3hyjR7t ; © Copyright IEEE – June 2021 The Institute. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

IEEE Pride in Photonics Initiative Featured as DEI Website Best Practice: For Building a More Vibrant and Safer Community

The IEEE has featured the IEEE Pride in Photonics initiative, led by the IEEE Photonics Society, as a best practice to celebrate the work of LGBTQIA+ people in STEM, create spaces to openly share personal experiences, and increase acceptance of inclusion.

“LGBTQIA+ discrimination is still present in the STEM field, leading us to closets, career difficulties, and sometimes to dropping out entirely. These adversities greatly intensify for trans researchers. Things are luckily changing, but we need to facilitate this change through education in the workplace, updated administration policies, and visible role models.” – Aitor Villafranca Velasco (He/Him), IEEE Photonics Society Associate Vice-President for Equity & Inclusion and current lead of the IEEE Pride in Photonics initiative.

A significant fraction of LGBTQIA+ physicists have experienced or observed exclusionary behavior in STEM. A report, “Exploring the Workplace for LGBT+ Physical Scientists,” conducted by the Institute of Physics, Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Society of Chemistry, shows that LGBTQIA+ students are less likely to follow an academic career, half of transgender/GNC physicists were harassed in academia, and one-third of out American physicists have been told to stay in the closet in the workplace.

In order to build a more inclusive community, the IEEE Photonics Society leads with the understanding that identity and its impact on individuals and institutions can improve equity in education and the workplace. For example, LGBTQIA+ people in STEM often experience difficulty identifying allies and mentors to help mitigate isolation, exclusion, or marginalization. In turn, the initiative’s in-person and virtual events seek to create a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQIA+ scientists to be their authentic selves, in the company of allies, as well as inspire collaboration, invite open conversation, create educational opportunities, and network through technical dissemination.

“As a queer woman in STEM, one thing that I believe is that LGBTQIA+ people should not need to change themselves so that they can benefit from careers in STEM. Instead, we need to change the culture of STEM careers so that we can benefit from more people from all walks of life. Everyone should feel safe, respected, and valued as their authentic selves, in the path that they would like to pursue.” – Dr. Niamh Kavanagh (She/Her), IEEE Photonics Society Diversity Oversight Committee Chair and Co-Founder of the IEEE Pride in Photonics initiative.

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