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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Head shot of Stuart Henderson, Director Jefferson Lab

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
"DEIA is about keeping Jefferson Lab competitive. It will prepare us for new ways to attract, retain, motivate and embrace previously untapped perspectives, so we can remain leaders in the advancement of science in the nation."

-R. Barbosa


Jennifer Carter
DEIA Program Manager Jefferson Lab
"We believe a strong culture of DEIA will help support the lab's core mission and position the lab for future growth. A culture of DEIA is imperative to attracting future scientific and technical minds and developing our talent. We appreciate the differences in our lab community and believe having a diverse workforce provides the lab with new ideas and perspectives, greater collaboration opportunities and further allows us to reach and exceed our goals.”"

-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

Virtual Road Trip to Jefferson Lab Recording 

Virtual Road Trip to Jefferson Lab slides 

 

   

 

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month  

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!

March 21st Women's History Month Event Recording with Nancy Grden

Women's History Month slides Nancy Grden

Women's History Month Meeting in a Box Toolkit

Women's History Month Virtual Backdrop

   

DEIA in Physics

 

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
Zoom link: https://jlab-org.zoomgov.com/j/1617356205?
pwd=RC9kNDlZYUlTWFA5emx4aWlWNFFXZz09
Meeting ID: 161 735 6205
Passcode: 978285

*Coffee and cookies will be served at 3:30 p.m. followed by the talk from 4:00-5:30 pm.

 

   

A great event Celebrating Black History Month with Alexis Swann, President of Towne Bank!

February 22nd Black History Month Event Recording with Alexis Swann 

Black History Month slides Alexis Swann 

Celebrate Black History Month in Hampton Roads (List of Events)

View all DEIA Heritage event videos here

World-Wide DEI Holidays

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

 

 

UPCOMING DEIA EVENTS

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.   

Program Information

Mentor Application

Mentee Application

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

Andrei Seryi

Sept. 9, 11-12pm

Slide Deck

LGBTQ+   Jianwei Qiu Sept. 19, 9-10am

Slide Deck

Age/Generation

Amber Boehnlein

Sept. 20, 11-12pm

Slide Deck

Veterans

Will Oren

Sept. 23, 11-12pm

Slide Deck

Race/African American & Black

Lauren Hansen

Sept. 27, 11-12pm

Slide Deck

Disability/People Living with Disabilities

Rusty Sprouse

Sept. 28, 11-12pm

Slide Deck

Tenure Steve Hoey Oct. 4, 9-10am

Slide Deck

Gender   Thia Keppel Oct. 18, 1-2pm

Slide Deck

 

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

DEIA Council Charter and Focus Group Charter
DEIA Strategic Plan and Policies
Have a DEIA idea or concern?

If so, please contact, Jennifer Carter, DEIA Program Manager.

For anonymous requests, please contact the Ethics Committee.

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

Have a DEIA idea or concern?

If so, please contact, Jennifer Carter, DEIA Program Manager.

For anonymous requests, please contact the Ethics Committee.