Wilson Lab Statement
Science benefits from a diversity of thoughts, skills, and experiences as this allows us to broaden our perspectives, consider new approaches to solve problems, and view results in new ways. As a group, we are committed to: 1) keeping our laboratory and field spaces a supportive and inclusive environment; 2) respecting individual career goals, needs, and learning styles, so that we can work together effectively and mentor accordingly; and 3) championing efforts to broaden representation in soil, agriculture, and water resources sciences.
We understand that this is a dynamic process. Implicit bias is ingrained in each one of us through our lived experiences and mistakes will be made. But it is the responsibility of each individual to take action to change when mistakes are made. We are continuously striving to improve our efforts to ensure individuals feel supported and invested in the work we do in our lab.
To this end, here are the actionable items that we commit to:
- All lab members will attend diversity training events on an annual basis. Suggested training topics include:
- Implicit bias in the search and selection process
- Addressing implicit bias and microaggression
- My role in equity and diversity work
- Collective access for all
- Actively recruit future graduate students and postdoctoral associates from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM including black, indiginous, persons of color, women, and LGBTQ communities.
- Schedule quarterly anti-racism and diversity discussions for our lab group
LIST OF RESOURCES:
University of Minnesota
Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
- Diversity Statement: https://www.swac.umn.edu/about-us/diversity
- Document of “Opportunities to Learn & Contribute”: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DUKhTz94vfq-XCH9Iod213rxdgKIhDAQ9AurhsYF2U0/edit?ts=5edf9e43#gid=0
CFANS Office for Diversity & Inclusion
- CFANS ODI website: https://cfans.umn.edu/about/diversity-inclusion
- Diversity & Inclusion Graduate and Post-Doc Opportunities: https://cfans.umn.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/diversity-inclusion-grad
- CFANS Diversity Community of Practice - https://groups.google.com/a/umn.edu/forum/#!forum/cfans_diversity_co
UMN Graduate School
- Faculty Fighting Racism: https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/diversityconsult/home
- Twin Cities Multicultural Directory: https://grad.umn.edu/diversity/diverse-communities-directory
- Diversity of Views & Experience Fellowship (DOVE): https://grad.umn.edu/funding/program-requests-nominations/nominations/diversity-of-views-experience-fellowship-dov
University Office for Equity and Diversity
- University OED website: https://diversity.umn.edu/covid-19
- Course offerings: https://diversity.umn.edu/education
- Equity and Diversity Certificate Program: https://diversity.umn.edu/certificate
Safe Campus
- Website: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources & Related Sciences (MANRRS)
Professional Societies
- Soil Science Society of America: https://www.soils.org/about-society/engage
- ACSESS (Alliance of Crops, Soils, and Environmental Science Societies) Diversity and Inclusion Statement: https://www.soils.org/about-society/engage
- Diversity in Agronomy, Crops, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Committee (ACS528) - https://www.soils.org/membership/committees/view/ACS528#
Other resources
- Anti-racism resources (list from CFANS): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wdft_1p0rpkStQIBNfP8eOJSzZH0_49I3s-j1opd4x4/edit#heading=h.ur3e3pb0hpvk
- Racial Inequity in the Food System: https://www.youngfarmers.org/2019/02/racial-inequity/
- Mapping Prejudice: https://www.mappingprejudice.org/
- Diverse People Help Fuel Scientific Discovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KYZisS41VM
- How diversity makes us stronger: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/
- “We Are All for Diversity, but..." How Faculty Hiring Committees Reproduce Whiteness and Practical Suggestions for How They Can Change: https://www.hepg.org/HER-Home/Issues/Harvard-Educational-Review-Volume-87-Number-4/HerArticle/We-Are-All-for-Diversity,-but-%E2%80%9D