Community, Outreach, and Engagement

Caltech's mission is "to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society." The division of Physics, Math, and Astronomy (PMA) recognizes that achieving this mission requires a supportive, equitable, collegial environment where all feel welcome and which empowers its members to advocate for a more inclusive culture in their fields.

• Diversity is good for PMA and Caltech
• Diversity encompasses many aspects - including race, ethnicity, religion, origins, gender, sexuality, age, socioeconomics, and disability
• We want to develop new initiatives and help steward ongoing programs to improve diversity, equity and inclusion – make those initiatives sustainable and define means to assess success (climate surveys?)
• Coordinate efforts across the Division, and interfaces with Institute level activities including CCID
• Develop new guidelines, policies, and best practices for committee work (new and existing)
• Develop new guidelines, policies, and best practices for research groups
• Improve diversity in admissions and recruitment
• Improve the climate/atmosphere for everyone
• Promote a bias-free working environment
• Provide an avenue for input from everyone across the Division
• Promote training to improve the above across the Division
• Define avenues for meaningful change – who and how?