Achieving DEIR and Safety Awareness in a Chemistry Graduate Program: "Safety, Inclusivity, & Diversity Talks" ("SID Talks") as Part of a Colloquium Series

A time- and cost-effective strategy aimed at increasing awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, respect (DEIR), safety, and other issues within a typical graduate program is described. Using a brief portion of time (up to similar to 10 min) at the commencement of each weekly departmental colloquium event, graduate students under faculty guidance develop topics of interest related to the above areas to deliver what are deemed to be Safety, Inclusivity, & Diversity Talks, ("SID Talks"); one SID Talk is delivered at each seminar gathering. Importantly, as described herein, this is a student-engaged process and is not a graduate program requirement. SID Talks are intended to increase and facilitate collegial conversations on topics leading, ultimately, to a departmental culture and climate change regarding safety awareness and DEIR. SID Talks are easily adaptable to any departmental need or situation and have had a positive impact on our program as evidenced by increased overall graduate student awareness of issues, volunteerism, and a stated desire to learn more on certain topics. When surveyed, it was determined that a majority of graduate students found SID Talks to be a meaningful addition to our program; this attitude is also held by the faculty of the department. The development of the SID Talk concept and its integration into our program and departmental culture is described along with an assessment of its impact and future possibilities.