Earth & Planetary Sciences > About > Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Committee

At Johns Hopkins we strive to be a model of a pluralistic society in which we acknowledge, embrace, and engage diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences. We seek to build and buttress an inclusive intellectual and physical environment to ensure that all members of our community know with certainty that they belong at Johns Hopkins. We aspire to equitably share the benefits and burdens of dismantling persistent systemic barriers to individual and communal success. 

The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences works within the framework of the Johns Hopkins University Roadmap 2.0 to develop targeted graduate student recruitment strategies that reflect our diversity goals and address gaps in recruitment of diverse faculty.  

We evaluate existing graduate admissions data to develop and implement customized recruitment efforts. We also build on the inclusive practices in our faculty search process and strengthen our relationships with diversity advocates. Additionally, we engage with our department diversity champions in the development and success of department-specific diversity action plans. 

Statement of principles and goals 

The EPS Department is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all members can thrive. While the scientific scope of research taking place in our department is very broad, we are united by our commitment to expanding scientific knowledge for future generations. We believe the most innovative science comes from diverse teams of scientists, and we strive to make researchers of all backgrounds feel welcome and respected. 

Over the past several years we have worked to improve recruitment and retainment of diverse scientists. 

Recruitment: 

  • If requested, we waive the application fee for graduate students  
  • No longer consider GRE scores 
  • Are an AGU Bridge Program partner organization 

Retainment:

  • We maintain a hybrid format for all departmental seminars and meetings 
  • Dedicate a seminar each semester for a department-wide conversation on topics related to diversity equity and inclusion  
  • Sponsor department-wide DEI trainings  
  • Have a course for tips on graduate student success offered each year for all first-year graduate students 
  • Have funding to send students to the SACNAS annual meeting each year 

The department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is working to advance initiatives both in the department and in the broader scientific community. All EPS members are welcome to participate in the DEI Committee. For more information, contact Meghan Avolio ([email protected]) or Ben Zaitchik ([email protected]). Additional initiatives and activities can be found below. 

Code of Conduct 

As a community, we agreed upon our code of conduct in June 2023.  

Land acknowledgment statement 

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples have been deeply connected to the lands on which Johns Hopkins University stands. What we now refer to as Baltimore, Maryland, is part of the ancestral lands of the Piscataway and Susquehannock tribes, who primarily lived along the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River. 

We acknowledge the violent history and painful suffering of Indigenous Peoples through conquest and colonization that resulted in genocide, broken treaties and forced assimilation. Ultimately, colonizers coerced Indigenous Peoples to flee, removing them from much of their ancestral land. We continue to learn about, recognize and value at least 13 tribes that have existed and exist in the land that is currently Maryland.  

We strive to understand the relationship of Indigenous Peoples with this land and to consider this in our research and decision-making. We call for action to support the rights and address the demands of the original caretakers of this land. 

Contact for Land Acknowledgment/Indigenous connections working group: [email protected]

DEI Activities 

As a department, we are working on several EDI initiatives. Read updates to our initiatives in our running meeting notes.

We also provide regular formal updates for the department on our activities.

Resources