[CODATA-international] Race Equality in Geospatial Science

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,



I want to thank all authors for sharing their racism experiences in the recent Special issue of the journal Nature dedicated to racism in science.

Details at https://www.nature.com/immersive/d42859-022-00031-8/index.html


There are many articles in different disciplines in this special issue including an article on racism in geoscience in a UK university. It is very disappointing to read about the scale of Racial discrimination happening in science and higher education environments.


There is a huge pressure to hide racial discrimination issues in some UK universities. Hence it is important to have support structures and frameworks in universities and scientific organisations so that more colleagues who are suffering racial discrimination and injustices can get courage to share their racism experiences. so lessons are learnt, appropriate and effective actions are taken, so that colleagues and students do not face any racism in the future. This is important to help build Race Equality in Science in the long term.


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/race-equality-charter-uk-universities-suchith-anand



Over the last few decades there has been huge developments in Geospatial Science. There are now hundreds of dedicated research centres in Geospatial Science around the world. There are also hundreds of courses offered in Geospatial Science at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in universities globally . But how many Professors appointed in Geospatial Science in the UK over the last 20 years are from Black and ethnic minority?  Why ?


According to Race Equality Charter , Racial inequalities are a significant issue within UK higher education. Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes and behaviours.



Black and Ethnic Minorities staff and students have faced lot of racial discrimination in some UK Geography Departments. There are examples of staff without PhD getting promoted to GIS academic posts, honorary appointments etc when qualified candidates in Geospatial Science from ethnic minority backgrounds are being sidelined in academic appointments and promotions in some UK universities. Why?


Is there a need for creating a Race Equality Charter in Geospatial Science in the UK  to help reduce racial discrimination of Black and Minority Ethnic in GIS Academia?



It is important to have initiatives like GeoForAll to help build Race Equality in Geospatial Science in the UK.  I would like to thank all colleagues in GeoForAll for their contributions to help build Race Equality in Geospatial Science.


Best wishes


Suchith



Dr Suchith Anand

Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Board member | Governance | Policy | Consultant in Data Science and Data Ethics | Global Citizen | SDG Volunteer and Advocate


https://council.science/profile/suchith-anand/

https://www.rd-alliance.org/users/suchith-anand

https://ethicaldatainitiative.org<https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>




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