Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 02-May-2018
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. Dana Hurley (JHUAPL) & Marcia Segura (GSFC/UMD)
Title: Unconscious Bias and Privilege – and their impacts in our community.
Space science is a discipline that relies on collaboration of teams to make large advances in the state of knowledge. Research shows that diverse teams are more innovative and produce better results than homogenous teams. Often in space science, team members are often selected without ormal competitions, where factors such as unconscious bias, homophily, and privilege can affect the personnel selected to be on a team. We have shown that team membership by gender is statistically anomalous in planetary science spacecraft missions, with women underrepresented by 4 sigma compared to their population in the AAS Division of Planetary Science. We present best practices to be aware of these effects so that they can be consciously countered. Space sciences will achieve more innovation and discovery by working as a community to create a more inclusive environment.
Colloquia are usually preceded by espresso and ice cream at 1:45 pm outside room PSC 1150 and are followed by an informal reception at 5:15 pm in that room. Anyone interested in talking with the speaker, or being added to the colloquium announcement email list, should contact the colloquium organizer. Lunch will normally be reserved for the speaker to talk to graduate students.
Colloquium Organizer:
Prof. L. Drake Deming
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
