An equitable discipline – one that encapsulates fairness and justice – is reflected by transparency, avenues for access, inclusive practices, and open dialogue. A lack of diversity within a discipline reflects, at least in part, a lack of equity. The Earth Sciences are the least diverse discipline among the major sciences, and they also are facing an unprecedented workforce shortage. How can we respond to this lack of diversity, and where do we have the potential to make systemic changes that can help the field achieve equity for all?
In order to address equity, institutions need to become more aware of the factors that influence how diverse student populations come to recognize the Earth Sciences as a viable career field. This talk will consider the social capital imparted by mentoring relationships, the impact of mentoring on sense of belonging, and the types of mentoring that can lead to the development of mentor trust. Using a mixed-methods approach, this talk will draw on survey and interview data from undergraduate and graduate students currently pursuing Earth Science careers, as well as Earth Science professionals. Taken together, these data paint a picture about the potential for well-planned mentoring relationships to help build systemic equity.