Event Details - Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez: Advancing Chemistry Through Diversity

Distinguished Visitors Program Virtual Talk:

"Advancing Chemistry Through Diversity"

Distinguished Visitor Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez is the Gompf Family Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Johns Hopkins

Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 3:00 pm (ET)

Join Zoom Talk:
https://haverford.zoom.us/j/96149252507?pwd=TUNLWEFYV0JvUnc1ckVjSEdDNWVlZz09
Meeting ID: 961 4925 2507
Passcode: 787755

Abstract:

The Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE) is aimed at institutional reform so as to lower inequitable barriers hindering the success of faculty from diverse groups. We implement the "top-down" hypothesis by asserting that academic middle managers---namely, department heads and chairs---held accountable for diversity and inclusion will make sustained and significant improvements in the representation and climate of their departments. The collaborative itself is a partnership with the department heads of research-active chemistry departments, social scientists and other key stakeholders.  The lowering of these barriers increases the likelihood that individuals already in the tenure pipeline will have equitable chances of success and thereby leads to changes in faculty demographics closer to those of the broader U.S. population. The creation of a more equitable climate is also expected to encourage more disadvantaged students to enter academic careers in the chemical sciences. We will report on OXIDE's approaches to increase awareness of effective policies and practices that decrease inequitable barriers and improve the diversity climate in research-active chemistry departments. We will discuss how these findings can inform the intentional management of inclusive excellence.

Sponsored by the Department of Chemistry in conjunction with the Distinguished Visitors Program