Planetary Science Community Gathers Momentum for Second Advancing IDEA Conference
May 31, 2024
The planetary science community will gather once again for the highly anticipated 2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference, which will be held virtually from October 21–25, 2024. This year’s conference aims to boost the community’s momentum in incorporating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles in the workforce.
Following the success of the 2022 conference, this event serves as a pivotal next step, supported by the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Expanding NASA’s Community of Planetary Sample Scientists (ENComPSS) program. Participants from the 2022 conference are encouraged to provide updates on the progress that has been made in the past two years.
Christine Shupla, conference co-convener and LPI Science Engagement Manager, said, "So much has changed since the 2022 conference. We anticipate rich discussions about the changing landscape and workforce, the progress, and the challenges in advancing IDEA across the planetary community.”
To facilitate conversations and develop recommendations centered around the core principles of IDEA, the conference organizers invite abstract submissions addressing these crucial topics:
- Inclusion — evidence-based practices to create and sustain inclusive work environments
- Diversity — the current state of the profession at all career levels and those that make recommendations on the best practices to assess the field’s demographics
- Equity — identified opportunity gaps faced by members of the community and mechanisms to bridge those gaps to create and sustain an equitable system
- Accessibility — best practices for making activities in the workforce accessible to all in the community
Additionally, abstracts at the intersection of IDEA core principles, including proposed IDEA activities for missions and reviews of lessons learned and best practices, are encouraged from individuals employed at universities, NASA Centers, research facilities, commercial space industries, and international partnerships within the fields adjacent to planetary science and astrobiology.
Specifically, we welcome abstracts and attendance from graduate students, early-career scientists, and members of the social sciences and education research communities whose research and insights can improve the state of the planetary science and astrobiology community.
For more information, visit www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/advancingidea2024.
Stay updated with conference news on X (formerly Twitter) and join the conversation using #AdvancingIDEA2024.
