The International Association for Geoscience Diversity
(Christopher Atchison, IAGD)
The International Association for Geoscience
Diversity (IAGD) is composed of higher education faculty, staff and
students, geoscience industry representatives, disabilities education
researchers and members of the global community. This
organization is charged with identifying current research opportunities
and instructional best practices for underrepresented students with
disabilities, while seeking to raise awareness of improving access and
exposure to the geoscience disciplines for students
and geoscientists with disabilities.
The establishment of a national advisory group
began in November, 2008, with consultant and advisory roles being
accepted by several key stakeholders in the geosciences, disabilities
education and various research organizations. Through
interest from international colleagues, in November of 2010, the
advisory expanded to the global community. In January of 2013, the
organization formalized into an international association, with
membership across the United States and in several countries.
With a membership approved Constitution and Bylaws, and an elected
Executive Committee, the IAGD is spearheading awareness of improving
access, accommodation and inclusion for students, faculty, and
geoscientists with disabilities in the geosciences.
The IAGD maintains an online repository of
instructional materials and resources to promote full inclusion for
students with disabilities in geoscience courses and training programs.
Additional materials and resources are always needed,
and welcome. Current geoscience research is also promoted through the
IAGD. If your geoscience research is focused on or can be tied to
accessibility, please share your work with the IAGD network. To inquire
about promoting current research, or submitting
materials and resources to the IAGD repository, please write to
info@TheIAGD.org. Membership within the IAGD network is open to
everyone. There are no annual dues or membership fees to be a member of
the IAGD network. To join, visit
www.TheIAGD.org and click on the "Join Today" button.
