UCAR/NCAR Equity and Inclusion (UNEION): Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at a Major National Laboratory

Despite efforts to increase diversity in geosciences and across STEM fields, women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and those at the intersection of these identities remain underrepresented. Many efforts to address this issue focus on increasing the numbers of minoritized individuals who are entering the field, but there is significant evidence that the departmental and institutional climate plays a major role in the recruitment and retention of employees and students from underrepresented groups. Departments rarely have systems and policies in place to support those from minoritized groups, who often face “chilly” or hostile departmental climates that take a toll on their mental and physical health, and hamper their ability to reach their full potential. We present the details and results of a program developed and delivered at UCAR/NCAR to address workplace climate through a 4-part intensive training series for employees. Covering privilege, gender, race, and bystander intervention techniques, the course has graduated 2 cohorts totalling 32 individuals to date. Results from our evaluation show promise for changing attitudes towards diversity and inclusion, increasing content knowledge, and preparing graduates to intervene in problematic situations in the workplace.