Diversity

The goal of iPlant Collaborative’s diversity plan is to increase the participation of women and individuals from underrepresented groups within science, mathematics and computer science disciplines in all iPlant activities. iPlant also seeks to include participants from Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) institutions, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

To achieve this goal iPlant employs a range of strategies including dissemination of employment and training opportunities through diverse networks, broad recruitment and selection of the Board of Directors, Teacher Fellows and workshop participants along with offering workshops in targeted locations.

Another aspect of diversity outreach encompasses education, outreach and training activities specifically designed to include ethnic minorities and female students, e.g., presentations at minority conferences, such as SACNAS, Grace Hopper: Women in Computing, SuperComputing, along with selection of teacher fellows based on their assignment at schools with large numbers of students from underrepresented groups.

We also strive to ensure that our primary medium of communication with the community, iPlant Collaborative’s website, is increasingly accessible to a diverse audience through meeting the guidelines and requirements of Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 requires that electronic and information technology that is developed by or purchased by the Federal Agencies be accessible by people with disabilities.