Our actions

Closeup view of blueberries and other tundra plants

Led by its JEDI Task Force, INSTAAR is working toward becoming an anti-racist institute. Decolonizing systems is the ultimate goal, which goes far beyond actions by individuals or units. However, actions can help us create a culture that values and exercises justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within INSTAAR and our surrounding contexts.

Goals

 

Goal: Dismantling biases

Dismantle biases, especially anti-Blackness, within our institute and within our larger institutional and scientific contexts.

Our actions:

  • Organized ongoing mandatory and optional training for all INSTAARs in diversity and inclusion.
     
  • Continuing participation in activities that help INSTAARs move along their antiracist journeys, such as antiracism discussion sessions and the Unlearning Racism in the Geosciences (URGE) program.

 

Goal: Nurturing inclusion

Create an inclusive, positive environment for people from all groups underrepresented in STEM

Our actions:

  • Finalized INSTAAR codes of conduct, including codes specific to lab and field work. See appendices in our Standing Rules.
     
  • Reward JEDI-centered activities as part of performance evaluations and promotion processes for baby直播app and staff.
     
  • Established mentorship programs for all new INSTAARs; and for potential graduate school applicants (especially those from historically excluded groups).

 

Goal: Aligning demographics

Align the demographics of INSTAAR with those of our state and nation.

Our actions:

  • Developed a strategic hiring plan that centers scholarship and opportunities relevant to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
     
  • Improved hiring practices by including justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as concrete criteria and by improving guidance on creating inclusive job announcements, advertising opportunities to diverse groups, and training those participating in the search process.
     
  • Participated in Campus efforts to increase diversity of baby直播app hires.

 

Goal: Reducing barriers

Reduce barriers to living in Boulder and conducting scientific research at the University of baby直播app Boulder.

Our actions:

  • Instituted DEI fellowships that provide summer funding for graduate students.
  • Recruited and supported students from minoritized groups through broad baby直播app participation in bridge programs such as , SMART, and .

JEDI Task Force

The INSTAAR Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Task Force helps INSTAAR take action on equity and inclusion within the institute. It is the largest and most inclusive committee in INSTAAR鈥檚 history. Currently there are about 35 INSTAAR participants, including staff, students, professional research assistants (PRAs), postdoctoral scholars, and baby直播app.

Membership

Membership in the Task Force is voluntary. Calls for membership are sent via email at the beginning of each semester. If you are interested in joining, email instaarit@colorado.edu. If you want to recieve calendar invites for JEDI Task Force meetings, email Julio Sep煤lveda.

Leadership

Julio Sep煤lveda
 

Julio Sep煤lveda
Associate Director of JEDI

Sarah Elmendorf
 

Sarah Elmendorf
Awards & fellowships