Technical Community Event – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

The InGARSS 2023 aims to promote inclusivity, equity, and diversity in the geoscience field. We seek to encourage “the fair treatment and full participation of all people,” including women, minorities, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and first-generation PhD candidates in the geosciences. Three events under the DEI sessions have been designed to help people succeed and be empowered: the mentoring programme, the Creative Spatial Card Making Event, and the Birds of Feather session (a networking event).

The incredible experience of mentoring has enormous advantages for both the mentee and the mentor. Our IEEE GRSS Bangalore section wants to take the initiative to connect researchers in geosciences and remote sensing with experts to support them at all stages of their careers. Our organised curriculum and matching services help mentor-mentee pairs build relationships and learn from one another.

Mentorship can provide several benefits for both mentors and mentees in promoting DEI in geoscience and remote sensing, including:

• Building a supportive network: Mentorship can help individuals from underrepresented groups build a supportive network of peers and colleagues who can provide guidance, advice, and support.

• Access to career development opportunities: Mentorship can provide access to training, education, and career development opportunities that may not be readily available to individuals from underrepresented groups.

• Exposure to new perspectives and experiences: Mentorship can provide mentees with exposure to new perspectives and experiences, helping to broaden their understanding of the field and increase their awareness of potential career paths.

• Advancement opportunities: Mentorship can help prepare mentees for leadership and advancement opportunities within the field, providing them with the skills and experience necessary to succeed.

Increased diversity and inclusion: Mentorship programs can help promote diversity and inclusion within geoscience and remote sensing by creating opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups to succeed and advance in the field.

Card making, also known as pop-up card making, is a popular paper craft that involves creating cards with 3D elements that pop up when the card is opened.

Birds of a Feather sessions (or BoFs) are informal gatherings of like-minded individuals who wish to discuss a certain topic without a pre-planned agenda. For example, BoFs allow groups to meet and discuss issues relating to regular conference sessions and discuss common community problems. Geospatial technology has revolutionised the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

WIE and DEI Chairs

• Rahisha Thottolil, IIIT Bangalore (rahisha.thottolil@iiitb.ac.in)
• Vasala Saicharan, NIT Surathkal (saicharanvasala@gmail.com)
• Babitha Ganesh, MIT Manipal
• Basavarju, NIT Surathkal