Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The American Water Resources Association aims to foster inclusion and diversity that reflect disciplinary, human, and geographic diversity. We recognize that many groups are underrepresented in the water resources community. We commit to building a more inclusive culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that will increase the participation of women, those from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to early career professionals, all ethnicities, races, colors, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, national origins, disabilities, ages, and socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals.

DEI Statements

AWRA Statement on Racial Inequalities
Read the statement.

AWRA’s Journal of American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) DEI Statement
Read the statement.

DEI Programs

2024

WEBINAR: The Inclusion Habit
January 17, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Access the free recording.

2023

WEBINAR: Actionable Steps for DEI Integration in the Water and Science Community
November 15, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Access the recording.

AWRA 2023 Annual Water Resources Conference
November 6-8, 2023 | Raleigh, NC
Register for the conference.

Session Speaker: Liji Thomas, CPA, CIA, CRMA, SHRM-CP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Workshop: Don’t Flinch Get Fearless about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, presented by Kuma Roberts, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer | Arrowhead Consulting

WEBINAR RECORDING: Is the Maternal Wall Causing a Critical Leak in the STEMM Pipeline?
Originally Aired May 24, 2023 | Speaker: Isabel Torres, Co-founder & CEO, Mothers in Science
Watch the recording.

2022

AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference
November 8, 2022 | Seattle, WA

Plenary Session: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Panel
Moderator: Sean M. Watts, SM Watts Consulting, Seattle, WA
Speakers: Sally Gutierrez, Senior Advisor, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Environmental Protection Agency; Chi Ho Sham, Vice-President and Chief Scientist, Eastern Research Group Inc.; Sharon B. Megdal, Director, Water Resources Research Center, The University of Arizona.

2021

AWRA 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop: Understanding the Value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Strategies to Integrate Them in the Workplace
July 18, 2021 | Virtual
Instructor: Kesho Scott, Ph.D., American Studies Associate Professor of Sociology and American Studies, Grinnell College, Iowa.
Access Recording.

2021 Joint AWRA & National Capital Annual Water Symposium: Panel: Water Justice and COVID-19: Water management in 2020 and Beyond
April 15, 2021 | Virtual
Speakers: Maureen Taylor, Chair, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization; Sydney Collins, Community Engagement & Green Infrastructure VISTA Buffalo Sewer Authority; and Letitia Carpenter, Program Manager US Water Alliance
No recording is available.

AWRA 2021 Young Professional Workshop Series: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: How to be an Ally in the Workplace
April 13, 2021 | Virtual
Instructor: Kesho Scott, Ph.D., American Studies Associate Professor of Sociology and American Studies, Grinnell College, Iowa.
Access the recording.

2020

AWRA 2020 Annual Water Resources Conference Engagement Break: Diversity and Inclusion
November 10, 2020 | Virtual
Facilitator: Kesho Scott, Ph.D., American Studies Associate Professor of Sociology and American Studies, Grinnell College, Iowa.
Dr. Kesho Scott, writer and sociologist professor at Grinnell College, chats about issues around diversity and inclusion. We all know that diversity is important, but without inclusion and belonging, an organization won’t maximize the benefits that diversity brings such as innovation and creative problem-solving. Join this engagement break to talk about these issues in a safe space and perhaps share a story about how you and your organization are making a difference in the science community.
Access the recording. (login required from registration of 2020 Annual Water Resources Conference)

AWRA 2020 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Workshop Series
July 22 and 29, 2020 | Virtual
Speaker: Joe Gerstandt, Speaker, Author, Advisor
In this two-part workshop series, Joe gives a powerful and actionable new clarity to the concept of inclusion, what it is, why it matters, and how it happens. He also details a set of competencies and commitments you can choose to make and employ to ensure that your leadership is, in fact, inclusive.
Access the recording.

WHAT CAN MEMBERSHIP DO FOR YOU?

If you actively engage in our community, your career and organization will benefit. We offer multiple opportunities for engagement via conferences, social media, webinars, committees and publications.

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