Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility Statement
The U.S. Global Change Research Program envisions “A Nation, globally engaged and guided by science, meeting the challenges of climate and global change for the benefit of all.” It is imperative that USGCRP recognize, reflect, and be inclusive of the diversity of the American people. USGCRP strives to keep the global change research community moving towards equity and justice by researching and addressing imbalanced systems within the global change community and fostering fair treatment and meaningful involvement for all.
We commit to diversity – including representative gender, ethnic, disciplinary, and career diversity – and inclusion in our activities and membership, including within the Subcommittee on Global Change Research, its working groups, and national coordination office. We also commit to diversity and inclusion of the communities that we serve – prioritizing public engagement, particularly with communities that have been disproportionately exposed and/or affected by global change, and ensuring that USGCRP science is accessible to the broadest possible audience. We are dedicated to cultivating a welcoming institutional environment and a sense of belonging wherein all participants are heard, respected, empowered, and valued as their authentic selves. USGCRP participants of all abilities should not be hindered in accessing facilities, information and communication technology, and programs.
We commit to advancing equity in the process and outcomes of our work. As the U.S. Government’s coordinating body on global change research, we have an important responsibility and opportunity to ensure that the inequitable impacts of global change are fully studied, understood, and communicated to policymakers and the public. As we facilitate collaboration, assessment, and strategic research directions, we strive to integrate equity into our planning, implementation, science, outreach, and communications. This means, for example, incorporating societal understanding of climate impacts, particularly on frontline communities, within research and other activities; identifying the structural and historical drivers of disproportionate impact; being open to multiple forms of evidence in our research; sharing best practices on equitable partnerships, funding calls, and research across agencies; and regularly striving for and evaluating implementation of just practices within the structure, function, and scope of USGCRP itself.
Code of Conduct
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP, also known as the Program) is committed to ensuring all participants in the Program may participate in an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment. We seek to create a collegial environment where participants enjoy their experience and grow professionally and personally. USGCRP activities are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all other participants.
This code of conduct applies to anyone attending USGCRP meetings or events, or communicating about USGCRP within and outside the Federal family. This includes all USGCRP meetings and calls (both virtual and in person), email or exchanges on digital platforms about USGCRP activities, including public engagement workshops or outreach events, and any other interactions among participants.
Participants of any USGCRP activity are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and in a manner that is professional, respectful, tolerant, and responsible.
All USGCRP participants agree to:
Be Committed to creating a positive and enjoyable experience for all participants;
Be Respectful and considerate to colleagues at all times, using good practices for collaboration and acknowledging each other’s boundaries. Never use demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech;
Be Generous, kind, and respectful in both giving and accepting feedback. Work hard to contribute to a collaborative, positive, and healthy professional environment; and
Be Accountable: If mistakes occur, own up to them without being defensive. When organizers or participants fail to meet these guidelines, work together to identify problems and adjust policy and practice together.
Participants who observe any form of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying, are encouraged to notify a member of USGCRP staff or leadership. USGCRP staff are required to report any breaches of conduct to the federal leadership of USGCRP immediately.
Related Information
Executive Orders and Initiatives
Office of Personnel Management: Diversity and Inclusion
Discrimination is any unfair or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, language, social origin or other status. Discrimination may be an isolated event affecting one person or a group of persons similarly situated or may manifest itself through harassment or abuse of authority. Harassment is any improper and unwelcome conduct that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation to another person because of such traits or attributes as those listed above. Harassment may take the form of words, gestures or actions which demean or belittle another or which create an intimidating or hostile professional environment. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature and may include any conduct of a verbal (including via electronic or telephonic means), nonverbal, or physical nature, between persons of any combination of gender or sex.