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2014 AGI Leadership Forum

Accommodating Geoscience Workforce Diversity: Including the Talents of All Geoscientists

About

In September of 2014, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) partnered with the International Association for Geoscience Diversity (IAGD) to host AGI’s annual Leadership Forum. This year’s topic discussed the importance of promoting access and inclusion of geoscientists with disabilities. Christopher Atchison, the Executive Director of the IAGD, and Heather Houlton, AGI’s Workforce Development Specialist facilitated the event, and provided insightful information regarding the challenges of access and inclusion, and how to overcome these with helpful strategies and tools. The following provides some resources for those interested in learning more about this important topic.

AGI and IAGD would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the guest speakers who led discussions during the event.

  • Shirley Malcom, AAAS Director of Education and Human Resources Programs
  • David Goch, WC&B Partner, attorney providing legal expertise for non-profits
  • Berry H. (Nick) Tew, State Geologist of the Geological Survey of Alabama

One of the major outcomes of this year’s Leadership Forum was the development of a community consensus statement regarding the discipline’s challenges and opportunities with promoting access and inclusion for geoscientists with disabilities. Read the statement, and learn how your organization could become involved.

Presentations

Introduction and Opening Remarks by Atchison and Houlton

Identifying the Barriers of Inclusion within your Organization

Agenda

  • 8:30 AM - Breakfast
  • 9:00 AM - Welcome: Chris Atchison, Heather Houlton, Nick Tew
  • 9:10 AM - Ice Breaker Activity
  • 9:40 AM - Introductory Talk: Chris Atchison, Heather Houlton
  • 10:00 AM - Break
  • 10:15 AM - Session 1: Identifying the Barriers of Inclusion within your Organization, Chris Atchison, Heather Houlton
  • 11:30 AM - Lunch
  • 12:30 PM - Session 2a: Understanding the Legal Issues of Accommodation, David Goch
  • 1:45 PM - Session 2b: Effective Data Collection Practices (Discussion), Carolyn Wilson
  • 2:15 PM - Break
  • 2:30 PM - Session 3a: Building a Geoscience Access Coalition, Shirley Malcom
  • 3:15 PM - Session 3b: Practicing Access and Inclusion at the Alabama Survey, Nick Tew
  • 3:30 PM - Session 3c: IAGD and Moving Forward (Discussion), Chris Atchison
  • 4:30 PM - Reception