Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion are core components of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago. Students, postdocs, and faculty are working together to build a culture within the department where under-represented groups can thrive. Please find our community values statement here.

Here you will find information about

  • The Climate Committee: The Climate Committee is a group of students, postdocs, faculty and staff from the Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A) department and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics (KICP). The primary goal for the group is to continuously improve on the climate in A&A and KICP.
  • The Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Astronomy (IDEA) group: A group of early-career astronomers and physicists in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics promoting inclusion, diversity and equity in STEM.
  • Community Engagement Working Group: The Community Engagement Working Group is comprised of graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty from A&A and KICP. We are working to attain a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment in our department for all current and incoming members. We also aim to build relationships with community members and organizations in the neighborhoods surrounding the University.
  • Department Ombudsperson: The Department Ombudspersons are available to provide private, independent, impartial, and informal assistance for anyone in the department community, which includes students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and visitors.
  • Other University Resources: Other resources and initiatives across the University.