
Stuart Henderson, Director, Jefferson Lab
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Statement from the Director
Fostering an inclusive work environment encourages collaboration across the community, leads to a greater exploration of ideas, and is key to the success of the Lab’s mission. DEIA should be embraced in all forms, placing emphasis on positive experiences for our employees, users, and all others that work or visit the Jefferson Lab campus. In all instances, we must strive to hold ourselves accountable and lead by example.
I call for everyone within the Jefferson Lab Community to exemplify the values of professionalism and respect, as well as cultivate a supportive environment where we acknowledge the opinions of others, enhancing scientific discourse with every exchange.
The goals of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Program are to:
- Intentionally create and sustain a professional, ethical, and respectful work environment in which everyone contributes to the Lab's mission while striving for a fully inclusive workplace. This includes deliberate and thoughtful engagement with colleagues.
- Build and maintain an exceptional workforce that reflects our community. This may require stepping outside of comfort zones to encourage and listen to perspectives dissimilar to our own, giving everyone an opportunity to be heard and understood.
- Maintain transparency in our communications. Actively promote results and successes in building a diverse and inclusive environment and propose improvements in any areas where we fall short.
- Increase diversity within the Lab and the broader scientific/engineering communities in the nation by recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse and talented workforce, while fostering a diverse STEM pipeline through progressive science education and community outreach programs.

Rhonda Barbosa
HR Director
Jefferson Lab
-R. Barbosa

Jennifer Carter
DEIA Program Manager Jefferson Lab
-J. Carter
Any questions, please contact Jennifer Carter, DEIA Program Manager.
Jefferson Lab is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility internally, in the DOE and National Lab System, and in our community.
Our definitions for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility are as follows:
Diversity - Achieve and sustain a workforce composed of qualified people who proportionally represent the diverse populations that contribute to the advancement of science.
Equity - Achieve and maintain an organization where all are treated fairly and provided equal access to opportunity and advancement.
Inclusion - Achieve and uphold a professional, ethical, tolerant and respectful work environment in which everyone can contribute to the mission according to their talents.
Accessibility - Achieve and provide equitable access to facilities, information and communication technology, programs and services so that all people, including those with disabilities, can utilize and fully participate in.
HOT OFF THE PRESS, a JLab first! - FY22 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Report
March 31st Virtual Road Trip to Jefferson Lab |
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Virtual Road Trip to Jefferson Lab Recording Virtual Road Trip to Jefferson Lab slides
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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month |
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Since 1987, President Ronald Reagan designated the month of March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to promote the dignity, equality, and self-determination of all individuals with such disabilities. Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facet of community life, create awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities still face today, and highlight how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities. DDAM raises awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, and it's a time to explore the work we still need to do to remove barriers. The 2023 theme, Beyond the Conversation, focuses on the question, "what next?" With this theme, NACDD plans to highlight change and innovation – what individuals and communities are doing to move past discussions and take action on education, employment, accessibility, and more. |
A great event Celebrating Women's History Month with Nancy Grden, President and CEO of Reinvent Hampton Roads! |
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March 21st Women's History Month Event Recording with Nancy GrdenWomen's History Month slides Nancy GrdenWomen's History Month Meeting in a Box ToolkitWomen's History Month Virtual Backdrop |
DEIA in Physics |
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Abstract: Science advances most effectively when the scientific community embraces and supports scientists from all backgrounds and identities. In this talk, I focus on the particular challenges to full inclusion in the scientific enterprise faced by LGBTQIA physicists – the “lavender ceiling”. I will share insights from my own experience as an out gay theoretical physicist and from the recent American Physical Society climate study. I will also highlight some “best practices” that members of the Jefferson Laboratory community may adopt to engender a more inclusive climate for sexual and gender minorities at the Lab. Details: Tuesday, March 28, 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium *Coffee and cookies will be served at 3:30 p.m. followed by the talk from 4:00-5:30 pm. |
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A great event Celebrating Black History Month with Alexis Swann, President of Towne Bank! |
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February 22nd Black History Month Event Recording with Alexis SwannBlack History Month slides Alexis SwannCelebrate Black History Month in Hampton Roads (List of Events) |
View all DEIA Heritage event videos here |
December Worldwide DEI Holidays and Observances
Holidays Around the World
Veterans at JLab Group Photo
Veterans Day Hybrid Event Photo Gallery
Veterans Day Poster 2022
Veterans at JLab - Highlights
November 9th Hybrid Event Recording with Rusty Sprouse (Military song link here)
Native American Heritage Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit
November Worldwide DEI Holidays and Observances
October 31st National Disability Employment Awareness Month Virtual Event Recording with Dr. Amber Kuszak, Psy.D, LCP
Disability Awareness Autism, Anxiety, & ADHD slides Dr. Amber Kuszak, Psy.D, LCP
Statement by President Joe Biden on Diwali
Oct. 10th World Mental Health Day - Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Presidential Proclamation
September 16th Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Event Recording with Aria Soha, Engineering Physicist at Fermilab
National Hispanic Heritage Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit
National Hispanic Heritage Month Presidential Proclamation
JLab Mother's/Wellness Rooms Info
Complimentary Women in Science Calendars
The Keys to Allyship: Understanding What an Ally is and the Role They Play in an Inclusive Workforce
10 Things Allies Can Do
The Importance of Belonging at Work
If you would like to sign up to be a part of our mailing list and be informed of all things DEIA, please click here: Inclusion Info Page (jlab.org)
Below you can find more information about all those who take the lead in driving and sustaining our aspired culture. Information on upcoming internal DEIA events can be found below.
Veterans Mentoring Program
If you'd like to sign up for our newly launched Veteran Mentoring Program, please click the links below. This program was designed to help our veterans who are transitioning out from the military to adjust to civilian work life by partnering with a JLab team member.
Upcoming Events/Courses
Get Connected with Your Colleagues!
March 30, 2023 11:30-1pm at CEBAF Deck (Atrium/Cafe area if it rains)
You are invited to join us for our next Get Connected event. Bring your lunch, play some games and get re-acquainted with your colleagues and meet new ones.
Safe Zone/LGBTQ+ Educational Session
Thursday, April 6th 10-11:30am https://misportal.jlab.org/training/classes/113827
The Safe Zone/LGBTQ+ Educational Session is an opportunity for everyone, including our LGBTQ+ colleagues, allies and all who are interested in learning. During this session, we will review LGBTQ+ core terminology, discuss our personal relations to LGBTQ+ subjects and engage each other on how we can become better allies and advocates for our LGBTQ+ colleagues. This session is voluntary and advanced notice of participation is not required.
Overcoming Barriers to Communication (updated AP-COM course)
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2-4pm https://misportal.jlab.org/training/classes/114283
Overcoming Barriers to Communication is a course created to assist employees to understand various barriers to communication. Through this course, attendees will realize the impact of medium and delivery on communication, recognize potential barriers to effective communication and how this translates into everyday work interactions. Participants will understand cultural differences (language and cultural context), gender stereotypes and unconscious bias, and how all these factors hinder good communication. Participants will learn strategies and gain tools on how to become more effective communicators.
Resources
Thank you to all for attending our Demographic Focus Group Meetings! We appreciate your engagement and contribution and value the feedback you have to share to help us continue to create a stronger culture of inclusion. Please see slide decks for each DFGM below to include feedback gathered from Mentimeter. Should you have any questions, please contact the Leadership Sponsor. Next meetings will resume in March 2023.
Demographic Focus Group |
Leadership Sponsor |
Date & Time |
Meeting Location/Link |
Role/Staff Administrators/Administrative Support | Steve Smith | Sept. 7, 10-11am | Slide Deck |
Role/Techs/AP/ESM (Technical Staff) *onsite meeting - Refreshments will be served |
Sept. 9, 11-12pm |
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LGBTQ+ | Jianwei Qiu | Sept. 19, 9-10am | |
Age/Generation |
Sept. 20, 11-12pm |
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Veterans |
Sept. 23, 11-12pm |
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Race/African American & Black |
Sept. 27, 11-12pm |
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Disability/People Living with Disabilities |
Sept. 28, 11-12pm |
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Tenure | Steve Hoey | Oct. 4, 9-10am | |
Gender | Thia Keppel | Oct. 18, 1-2pm |
37+ countries: At Jefferson lab we hire the world and bask in our diversity, enriching our science by working with many partners to ensure we are in touch.
We have your family in mind with our AWS program, we know talent in different forms with our Differently Able focus, and we build bonds through our DEIA Council.
We reach out to ensure we spread opportunities, resulting in 10,000,000+ views of our YouTube content, scholarships for women and underrepresented groups, and diversity in our business dealings
We invest our time and effort to ensure that all of our visitors and guests from around the world have a smooth transition to the lab environment
Watch some of our staff top picks for learning about DEIA. We’ve curated a movie, listening and reading list that we hope you enjoy as much as we have.
We have some of the most well-regarded scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative experts in the world
If so, please contact, Jennifer Carter, DEIA Program Manager.
For anonymous requests, please contact the Ethics Committee.