Inclusion

"Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. "
-Vernā Myers, American diversity consultant

As a university founded to be a place where "any person can find instruction..." we value diversity and inclusion and strive to be a welcoming, caring, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation.

From the University Core Values

Diversity Statements from Physics Professional Organizations
APS AIP AAPT

CEDI

Cornell Physics Climate Equity Diversity & Inclusion

Cornell Physics Department’s Committee for Climate, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI) strives to foster a culture in which every member of the department feels respected, valued and supported. Inspired by the Cornell foundational principle “Any person, any study,” we lead efforts to broaden participation in the Physics community by members of historically excluded groups. The committee plays an active role in shaping the department’s policies, coordinates activities such as student recruitment and mentorship, and provides opportunities for members of the department to learn about issues related to diversity and inclusion in academic and research settings.  

Current Membership: Natasha Holmes (faculty, Co-Chair), Jenny Wurster (staff, Co-Chair), Abra Geiger (ugrad, SPS),  Emma Linscomb (ugrad, SPS), Julian Turner (ugrad, SPS, CUSP), Kasia Krzyzanska (grad, PGS), Charlotte Zimmerman (postdoc) Jose Monroy (research associate), Bethany Dixon (staff), Mike Niemack (faculty), Matthias Liepe (faculty), Abigail Crites (faculty),  Jim Baker (lecturer), July Thom-Levy (ex-officio; Physics Dept. Chair), Paula Epps-Cepero (ex-officio; Dept. Manager).

Contact

Email: physics-cedi-l@list.cornell.edu 

Share a suggestion with the Cornell Physics Department. (This link first requires you to authenticate your Cornell user status but submissions are anonymous.) Suggestions are being received by the Physics Department Manager.

Cornell Physics Community Initiatives

Here are some initiatives taking place in our physics community:

SPS student with 5th grade class demonstating physics.
SPS representative Abra Geiger with 5th grade students.
  • The Society of Physics students is proud to have initiated a tri-weekly outreach program at Fall Creek Elementary (with more schools to come) called “Fun Physics with Fifth”. Involving about 20 undergraduate volunteers, this program brings interactive physics exhibits to local fifth grade classrooms in partnership with the Ithaca Physics Bus. It is their goal to spread curiosity and a love for the natural world through this program.
  • Mentoring reimagined! SPS mentoring of potential majors. Grad-undergrad mentoring. New grad student mentoring.
  • Thanks to the CUWiP local organizing committee and the many volunteers for a successful 2023 CUWiP conference. (See the sidebar story).
  • Alumni profile project to highlight the breadth of career paths for physicists and the diversity of folks doing physics. Nominate a physics alumni to profile by filling out this survey.

Physics Equity Advocates

Physics Equity Advocates: People within the department who will:  

  • Listen to your diversity- and inclusion-related concerns or ideas. 

  • Help you brainstorm and investigate options and resources. 

  • Bring issues/concerns to the attention of the department without having your name attached. 

Jenny Wurster

Jenny Wurster

Teaching Support Specialist 

jew16@cornell.edu  

(607)255-2371 

202 Rockefeller Hall

 

Professor Michael Niemack

Michael Niemack

Professor  

niemack@cornell.edu 

(607)255-0391

389 Physical Sciences Building

 

Abigail Crites

Abigail Crites

Assistant Professor  

atc72@cornell.edu

(607)255-6376

393 Physical Sciences Building 

 

  

Bethany Dixon

Bethany Dixon

LASSP Assist. Dir. Research Inits.

bd383@cornell.edu 

(607)255-2324

420 Physical Sciences Building

 

Support

Support Asians+ in Physics open letter (here to cosign) and resources.

Land Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement: Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.

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