A joint Foundry/ALS seminar presented by the Foundry’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Committee
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Chemla Room (67-3111) and Zoom
Talk Title: Diversity, belonging & institutional culture: Turning intentions into actions
Zoom link

Abstract:
Challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM in the US have been known for decades even if not universally accepted. As a nation, we have sought to address these challenges in a variety of ways, achieving important albeit slow progress. However, major events and movements of recent years – the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and more – have intensified the conversation in the STEM community, including within leadership circles, about the experiences of persons from minoritized and excluded communities, who often are impacted by societal challenges in profoundly disparate ways and, further, constantly receive messages that they do not belong, that they are not valued. In response, institutions, both public and private, have rushed to stand up structures and establish high-profile leadership roles with the hope of infusing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and even justice into the organization’s culture and day-to-day work, all in support of mission. I will share lessons learned from leading UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity & Inclusion and serving in a variety of DEI roles in STEM. I will also propose opportunities and challenges for a place like LBNL, a tax-payer-funded institution whose mission is centered on research excellence, scientific discovery, and transformational, science-based solutions to large-scale societal problems.
Bio:
Oscar Dubón is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley and Faculty Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He received a BS (1989) in Materials Engineering from UCLA and MS (1992) and PhD (1996) degrees from UC Berkeley, both in Materials Science and Mineral Engineering. Prior to joining UC Berkeley as a faculty member, he was a postdoctoral fellow in applied physics at Harvard University. His research has focused on the synthesis, processing, and properties of semiconductors as well as the interplay between point defects and the electrical, optical, and magnetic behavior of materials. Oscar has held administrative appointments at UC Berkeley including Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion (2017-2021) and associate dean in Berkeley Engineering (2012-2017). He has received several honors including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2004) and in 2016 the Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence and Equity (UC Berkeley). Oscar was born in Hollywood, CA, from Nicaraguan parents. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and tinkering with his bicycles.