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Abstract

On April 25, 2023 the JEDI-EOS group sponsored a workshop entitled Bringing an Equity Lens to EOS Research at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in the Piscataqua Room at the Holloway Commons. The stated goal of the workshop was to synthesize and coordinate UNH’s efforts on geoscience topics impacting the health and well-being of under-served communities locally and regionally. The workshop welcomed approximately 35 participants primarily from the University of New Hampshire, but with representation from the NH Conservation Law Foundation, US Geological Survey, and NH Department of Environmental Services. A keynote address was provided by Dr. Daniel Faber from the Northeastern Environmental Justice Research Collaborative. The workshop entailed several session topics with ample time for discussion. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants were requested to provide a summary of their learning and opinions of important topics and 23 participants, including some members of the organizing committee, provided feedback that is summarized below. Many topics discussed throughout the day resonated with most of the participants, with many participants communicating that key factors that can enable more inclusive and equitable research outcomes include:

Centering communities: Research in geoscience topics should reflect the needs and ideals of potentially affected communities.

Boundary spanning: Researchers must leverage the existing roles of boundary spanners to interact successfully with communities.

Institutional change: The timelines, incentives, and funding cycles of academic research should be reinvented to align with the needs of communities.

Though these factors are identified as pre-requisites for furthering the academy’s commitment to equitable research, there remain significant unknowns in the proper path forward to achieving the ideals they represent.

Date Created

2023

Department

Earth Systems Research Center

Subject

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Publication Date

2023

Grant/Award Number and Agency

University of New Hampshire, Collaborative Research Excellence, Strengthening Centers Grant: Developing a Pathway to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within EOS through Recruitment, Collaboration, and Research (JEDI-EOS)

Document Type

Report

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