U53A:
The Challenges of Recognizing Implicit Bias in Earth and Space Sciences and Strategies for Minimizing Its Impact in the Coming Decades of AGU


Note: Abstract submissions to Union sessions are by invitation only.


Session ID#: 50265

Session Description:
We invite AGU members for a panel session on implicit bias. Implicit bias refers to attitudes that affect our decisions and evaluations without our consciously realizing it. Implicit biases are an inherent part of the human brain. Although the value and importance of diversity in science is beyond dispute, implicit bias adversely influences proposal/journal reviews, how recommendation letters are written, who is invited to professional talks/panels, and who is heard during conference discussions. Implicit bias affects hiring decisions, who is nominated for and receives awards and funding, and who is promoted and encouraged in STEM. This session will address how implicit decision-making occurs, and how we can reduce its impact through awareness. An expert panel will present an overview of the research and impacts; describe resources and positive actions our community can take to reduce the impact of implicit bias. Time will be allocated for audience discussion and questions.
OSPA Liaison:  Hazel M Bain, CU/CIRES NOAA/SWPC, Boulder, United States
Primary Convener:  Hazel M Bain, University of Colorado at Boulder, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Boulder, United States
Conveners:  Dr. Alexa Jean Halford, PhD. , Aerospace Corporation Chantilly, Chantilly, VA, United States and Blair Schneider, University of Kansas, Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, United States
Chairs:  Hazel M Bain, CU/CIRES NOAA/SWPC, Boulder, United States and Dr. Alexa Jean Halford, PhD. , NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States
Co-Organized with:
Union, SPA-Magnetospheric Physics, Near Surface Geophysics, and SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics

Proposed Co-Organized Session with:
  • NS - Near Surface Geophysics
  • SH - SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics
  • SM - SPA-Magnetospheric Physics
Index Terms:

0855 Diversity [EDUCATION]
6630 Workforce [PUBLIC ISSUES]

Abstracts Submitted to this Session:

Gender-Age Co-author Networks in the Earth and Space Sciences: Young boys and Old Boys (Invited) (423389)
Brooks Hanson1, Jory Chapin Lerback2, Billy M Williams3 and Karine S Blaufuss1, (1)American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, United States, (2)University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States, (3)American Geophysical Union, Executive Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Science, Washington, DC, United States

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