Committees

Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education

The AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education has completed its final report, and the AAS Board of Trustees has voted to endorse it. The Task Force presented its findings at a plenary held at the AAS 233rd meeting in Seattle, January 2019.

Read the Report › 

Executive Summary

At the January 2017 AAS meeting in Texas, the AAS Council (now the AAS Board of Trustees) approved the creation of a Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education. This document details the charge, goals, membership, structure, and activities of the task force.

The Task Force held its first meeting in November 2017. At that first meeting, the Task Force members, to facilitate the work of the Task Force, approved the creation of three working groups. Each working group was co-chaired by two Task Force members who recruited additional members from the community. These working groups took primary responsibility for soliciting input from the community around their topic and developing the recommendations contained in this report. In addition, presentations were made to the four AAS Diversity committees (CSWA, CSMA, SGMA, and WGAD) by the Task Force liaisons from each committee to directly solicit their input and feedback. The committees were also given a chance to review this report in draft form to comment. All recommendations were discussed and approved by the entire Task Force. See Appendix II for details of the Task Force creation and timeline of activities.

The Task Force’s list of detailed recommendations by category is summarized below. Details of each recommendation, and the justification behind it, including references from social science research supporting the recommendation, are found in the main report. Evidence-based resources and tools that will help in the implementation of the recommendations are included in the Appendices.

Added 11 April 2019: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have joined with more than 40 colleges, universities, and research institutions to launch an Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

Read the Press Release 

Action Collaborative Website

Astronomy Graduate Program Taskforce Recommendation Compliance

Each recommendation generated from the taskforce is marked by the data we have available for each institution.

Implemented Implemented
Not implemented Not implemented
Implementation in progress Implementation in progress
No data available No data available
Showing 10 results

Browse Institutions and Degrees

Institution and Degrees
Admissions
Retention
Data Collection

Admissions

  1. Implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implementation in progress Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implementation in progress Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implemented Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implementation in progress Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implemented Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Not implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Not implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

University of Iowa

PhD in Physics (Astronomy Emphasis) & MS in Astronomy

Admissions

  1. Not implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implementation in progress Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implementation in progress Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implemented Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Not implemented Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Implementation in progress Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implementation in progress Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

University of Michigan, Astronomy and Astrophysics

MS and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Admissions

  1. Not implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implemented Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implementation in progress Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implementation in progress Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implementation in progress Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. No data available Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implementation in progress Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Not implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

New Mexico State University

MS and PhD in Astronomy

Admissions

  1. Implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implementation in progress Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implemented Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Not implemented Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implementation in progress Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

Princeton University

BS, MS, and PhD in Astrophysical Sciences

Admissions

  1. Implementation in progress Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implementation in progress Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implemented Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implementation in progress Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implemented Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implemented Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implementation in progress Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implemented Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Not implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Implementation in progress Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

The Ohio State University

BS and PhD in astronomy

Admissions

  1. Implementation in progress Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. No data available Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implementation in progress Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implementation in progress Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Implementation in progress Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Implementation in progress Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implementation in progress Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

Admissions

  1. Implementation in progress Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Not implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. No data available Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Not implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Not implemented Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implemented Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Not implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implementation in progress Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implementation in progress Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

University of Washington, Seattle

MS and PhD in Astronomy

Admissions

  1. Implementation in progress Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implementation in progress Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implementation in progress Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implementation in progress Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implemented Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Not implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Implementation in progress Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Implementation in progress Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

University of Wyoming

PhD

Admissions

  1. Implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implemented Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implementation in progress Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. Implementation in progress Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Not implemented Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implementation in progress Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implementation in progress Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. No data available Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Not implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Not implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites

Yale University

PhD in Astronomy

Admissions

  1. Implemented Partner with and recruit from undergraduate programs that produce large numbers of graduates from underrpresented groups (e.g., MSIs, HSIs4, and Tribal Colleges
  2. Implemented Implement evidence-based, systematic, holistic approaches to graduate admissions, based on the existing literature as well as on self-study when possible
  3. Implemented Coordinate with graduate schools and other campus offices to ensure that program level policies and practices aimed at diversity and inclusion are supported and amplified at the institutional level

Retention

  1. Implemented Engage in genuine, open, and sometimes difficult conversations
  2. Implemented Conduct assessments to identify areas of need or opportunities
  3. No data available Create short- and long-term actionable department plans with measurable outcomes that address the five goals
  4. Implementation in progress Incentivize and support professional development in the support of the five goals
  5. Implemented Take actions based on the departmental plan and monitor progress toward outcomes, employing inclusive processes
  6. Implemented Encourage ongoing improvements toward inclusiveness by iterating through the process represented in steps 1-5

Data Collection

  1. Not implemented Participate in the recommended AAS/AIP6 national demographic and climate survey, and encourage all relevant members (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, researchers, faculty) to participate
  2. Implemented Regularly collect and analyze data relevant to graduate education, including the demographics of applicant pools, admitted and enrolled students, and disaggregated progress and success rates
  3. Implemented Assess the success of steps taken to improve the educational experience of graduate students using an evidence-based rubric
  4. Not implemented Report results on progress in implementing the recommendations of this Task Force on the platform provided by the AAS, and on departmental websites
  • 1 Current Contact
  • 2 Admissions
  • 3 Retention
  • 4 Data Collection
  • 5 Complete

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