The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Warren Rogers of Indiana Wesleyan University, discussing "Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Community in Nuclear Science" on Feb. 3.

This colloquium is hosted by the PandA GradS Student Organization and Dr. Christian Drischler.

Abstract : Science benefits from participation of a broad and diverse community. Many efforts in nuclear science are dedicated to growing and cultivating a more diverse community in which all feel welcome and treated with dignity and respect. The current reality is that our community does not reflect the surrounding culture in terms of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. While several Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)-related efforts point to ways forward for building a more diverse community, too many of our colleagues continue to experience harassment and bullying from others, making them feel outside and unwelcome in the community. As a result many leave the field, a net loss for us all.  The nuclear science community is currently engaged in its Long Range Planning (LRP) process commissioned by DOE and NSF that will establish scientific priorities for the next 5 to 10 years.  A DEIB workshop was held at the recent Nuclear Structure, Reactions, and Astrophysics LRP town hall meeting.  I will share some takeaways and recommendations from that workshop, including important steps to help remove impediments to progress in physics. 

Biography : Warren Rogers earned his doctorate in nuclear physics from University of Rochester, after which he served as a postdoc at the University of Washington  in gravitational physics. He has taught at primarily undergraduate institutions for 34 years, and currently occupies the Blanchard Chair in Physics at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a founding member of the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA) Collaboration at the Facility for Rare Isotopes (FRIB) at Michigan State University. Rogers is currently a member of the DNP DEI committee and of the DNP Allies. He is a fellow of the APS, and in 2018 was awarded the APS Prize for a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution.