Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

Our Vision

North Carolina Sea Grant champions diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA). In order to expand, innovate, and maximize our program’s effectiveness, we recognize we must embed these values in our organizational expectations and daily operations.

In addition, as North Carolina’s population continues to grow and diversify, our program’s relevance in the state increasingly will rely on how well we embody DEIJA values.

We also recognize that societal barriers and challenges mean that we must initiate intentional measures if we hope to fully realize diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in all aspects of our programmatic portfolio.

Our program will continue to strive for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility by:

1. proactively recruiting, retaining and preparing a diverse workforce that reflects diversity across all levels of our organizational structure;
2. engaging and serving communities and stakeholders that are representative of the broader populations where our programs operate;
3. creating and facilitating research opportunities that a) equitably fund under-targeted and underserved universities, faculty and students, and b) foster research with real-world outcomes that benefit underserved communities.

We value DEIJA in many forms:

Diversity
Our program celebrates people of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, education levels, job classifications, veteran status types, income, and socioeconomic status types. We remain committed to increasing the diversity of our grantees, our program’s workforce, and the workforce of the communities we serve. Additionally, we recognize our responsibility to increase the training and development of workforces in under-represented communities.

Equity
Our program remains committed to equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities. We welcome participation and leadership from all people from all communities, including those that have been traditionally underserved or under-resourced. We challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination, and we strive to build awareness and capacities that foster equitable outcomes.

Inclusion
Our program is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs by and for people of all backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking and learning. We strive to cultivate belonging, co-creation, and active participation among our team, partners, and communities. We believe in a flexible and adaptive approach to funding that can bring a diverse set of voices and experiences to the table. Accordingly, we recognize our unique position and responsibility to strengthen the STEAM pipeline to college and professional life for students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Justice
North Carolina Sea Grant is committed to the systematic removal of barriers to equitable opportunities and outcomes.

Accessibility
Our program is committed to making information and opportunities accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities.

We expect that implementing a vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in these and other ways will be an ongoing and evolving process, one which our program will support and prioritize.

Researchers Discuss Their Work

• Lauren D. Pharr’s Coastwatch feature on “Breaking Systemic Barriers: Being Black in the Aquatic Sciences and Related Fields”
• Alex K. Manda’s feature story on weather events and water quality.
• Antonio B. Rodriguez’s feature story on core sampling and marsh migration.
• David Shane Lowry on how researchers and Robeson County residents have united on Project BRIDGE.
• Lauren D. Pharr’s award-winning Coastwatch story on the impacts of climate change on birds of North Carolina.

Recent Fellows and Other Students Talk About Their Projects

• Olivia Vilá looks at flood risk and recognition of the Latino and Latina community.
• Delandra Clark tells how Sea Grant “fueled her passion” for environmental engineering.
• Aiman Raza discusses how protecting oyster reefs benefits a variety of sea animals.
• Karla Lopez explains enhanced engagement and risk communication for underserved communities.
• Austin Gray outlines the environmental implications of antibiotics pollution.
• Alireza Gharagozlou discusses a new model to predict storm impacts.
• Jasmine Hayes looks at how vulnerable communities respond to flooding.
• Maya Hoon explains the links between climate change and antibiotic resistance.

More News

• Austin Gray’s new research looks at the effects of antibiotics on urban stream ecology.
• Melinda Martinez and Emily Ury investigate coastal ghost forests.
• Yener Ulus studies rising seas and toxic mercury levels.

On Diverse Coastal Cultures and Histories

• the legendary heroism of the Pea Island Surfmen.
• climate change impacts on the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
• coastal Carolina through a shrimper’s eyes.
• fishing for food and finding connection.
• more from Coastwatch.

See also:

The National Sea Grant Program’s visioning statement for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

North Carolina Sea Grant’s fellowships and other funding opportunities.

lead photo by Christy Perrin.