diversity and equity

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Our aim is to facilitate an inclusive symposium that encourages the free exchange of ideas and welcomes all voices in a respectful atmosphere. We invite participation from people of all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, and abilities.

As organizers, we are working to try to provide a balanced and diverse program. You can help us build a better, more inclusive symposium by forwarding our Call for Abstracts throughout your network and sending along your suggestions for presenters and participants that might help diversify the symposium.

The AM&ST24 Organisers are committed to providing a symposium that aims to uphold equity and diversity principles. We acknowledge that inequality exists in the scientific community, in the application of science, and throughout the world. We are committed to providing equal opportunities, and a safe and respectful event free from discrimination. We expect our attendees to treat everyone in a respectful and inclusive manner, and to remove barriers of disadvantage. Equity and diversity issues are wide-ranging and include but are not limited to ethnicity, race, religion, color, age, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, carer responsibilities, socio-economic status, mental and physical health, or disability, and nationality. In order to address these principles, the organizers aim to:

• Provide diversity in speakers where possible
• Ensure equitable treatment for all attendees
• Ensure that our attendees feel included in all events offered at the symposium.
• Take positive actions to address inequity and exclusion
• Lead by example

To achieve these aims the organizers will:

• Provide a public policy addressing equity and diversity (this statement).
• Provide a Code of Conduct.
• Provide data of the representation of women (and other underrepresented groups where voluntarily provided) and provide this data after the symposium to publically on the website.
• Acknowledge traditional ownership including reaching out to local Indigenous communities to open major events with Welcome to Country.
• Session Chairs will be instructed to consider speaker selection with this policy in mind.
• Session Chairs will be instructed to ensure that discussions and questions are conducted respectfully and that there is an equitable opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
• Support carers to participate more fully in workshops, conferences and professional development.
• Respect diversity when scheduling event times/days and organizing social activities.

Equity – when everyone is treated fairly and impartially.

Diversity – having different attributes and backgrounds, which in turn means people with different skills, experiences, and perspectives.

Inclusion – occurs when a range of people from diverse backgrounds and with varied skills feel valued and respected, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute their perspectives and talents to improving their organization. 

The Organising Committee acknowledges the following Diversity and Equity Statements have been used to compose this statement.

We acknowledge the work done to create these statements and have used the statements with permission.

ANZOS (2021) Equity and Diversity Policy (Australian and New Zealand Optical Society).

ARC Exciton Science (2020) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.