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 Programs

AWRA Statement on Racial Inequalities
Read the statement.

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

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.

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 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)

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.