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Strengthening the Physics Community

As a science, physics has more than enough room to include supernovae as well as quarks. It’s fitting, then, that the department has written a plan to ensure a welcoming place for everyone who works, studies, and visits here and to create a vibrant academic environment that encourages a diverse community. The Diversity Plan Task Force began working in 2018 to review the department’s climate and map out strategies for improvement. They reviewed university initiatives and resources as well as those from other institutions; requested feedback from faculty, staff, and students; and listened to colleagues, guest speakers, and visitors with experience in diversity issues and opportunities. In June 2020 the faculty unanimously approved the plan resulting from that work, which outlines four main goals:

  • Create and sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive campus climate.
  • Attract and retain greater numbers of individuals from historically underrepresented populations into the undergraduate program.
  • Attract and retain greater numbers of individuals from historically underrepresented populations into the graduate program.
  • Attract and retain greater numbers of individuals from historically underrepresented populations as staff and faculty.

To meet these goals the department established a permanent community committee comprising faculty, staff, and student representatives. The committee will work with the department head on all aspects of departmental climate, inclusion, and diversity and to make sure the plan is successfully implemented. The diversity action plan is available at: www.phys.utk.edu/about/diversity-action-plan-2020.pdf



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