Grassroots Efforts To Quantify and Improve the Academic Climate of an R1 STEM Department: Using Evidence-Based Discussions To Foster Community

Women and some racial and ethnic groups remain underrepresented in chemistry departments across the United States, and generally, efforts to improve representation have resulted in minimal or no improvements in the last 10 years. Here, we present the outcomes of a graduate-student-led initiative that sought to assess the issues affecting inclusivity, diversity, and wellness within the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. We report how the results of a department-tailored academic climate survey were used to develop a method to foster open, productive discussion among graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. This event format led to an improved understanding of the challenges facing our community members, as well as the identification of strategies that can be used to make the Department of Chemistry more welcoming for all members. We report the success of this student-led effort to highlight the value of assessing diversity and inclusion at the department-level, as well as the benefits of using community data to stimulate productive, evidence-based discussions. Furthermore, we envision that these methods can be implemented within any research-focused academic community to promote positive cultural change.