Addressing inequalities in the VMSG community: A series of virtual discussion meetings - Panel 2

The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group (VMSG) aims to provide a supportive environment where all in the community are welcome and valued. We are keen to promote balance in terms of gender, ethnicity, religion, geography, location, physical ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background & others. Nevertheless, we recognise that practice in encouraging diversity is not yet good enough in our community, and as our contribution to #BlackLivesMatters will convene a series of web-based discussion panels. These will acknowledge:

(ii) Changemakers and becoming better allies - (Panel 2 - 26th August)
(iii) Co-create a manifesto for tangible actions for VMSG moving forwards (Panel 3 - date and time TBD).

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PANEL 2 - Wednesday August 26, 2020 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (BST, GMT+1)
Improving Diversity in the UK now: Changemakers and becoming better allies

Following the feedback from Panel One it was clear that our (not very diverse) research community wanted not just to understand the barriers to inclusion but to (1) consider the evidence for how change can be implemented, and (2) help them understand how they can be better allies, and perhaps persuade less interested colleagues in the importance of Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Thus we have three panel members with direct experience of taking affirmative action or lived experience of barriers to improved diversity in the UK.
(2) Prof Chris Jackson, Geoscientist at Imperial College London who is involved in a variety of university, national and international initiatives to improve diversity, inclusion and open sharing of data in the geosciences.
(3) Dr Michal Camejo, volcano petrologist at the University of the West Indies, who visited the UK on a Commonwealth Scholarship during her PhD research.
Chaired by Jenni Barclay (UEA, UK)

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Text from Zoom chat:

15:11:09 From Mike Cassidy : Chat: 3 ways to be an ally and 3 top tips for handling difficult opinions
15:28:45 From Sally Gibson : Group 8
3 ways to be an ally
Huge challenge
Virtual conference – text based presentations
Virtual – interacting with schools – finding audience, finding role models
Partnering with larger organisations, co-ordination of events. Amplifying voices via Geol Soc & Min Soc
3 tips for tackling difficult opinions
Supportive of our colleagues
Call out other people (Code of conduct at conferences)
Have training procedure to establish how to do this
Different contexts – step back and ask questions and understand why the situation has arisen
15:40:45 From Alice : Thank you :)
15:40:55 From Paul Jarvis : Thanks to the panellists. That was a really really good session

[MrsGreenfaerie]

Will individuals with disability/long-term medical conditions also be part of this discussion?