No matter who you are or what your background is, if you attended EGU26, it is very likely that the EGU EDI Committee did something that you found valuable or helpful.The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed in 2018, and has since then been working with EGU to promote its core values. Let’s break down how EDI shaped the experience of the latest General Assembly and what we can expect in the future!
There are a lot of acronyms to keep in mind at EGU (here goes the first one already!). All badges at the General Assembly showcase lettered stickers that indicate one’s field of study or interest. I’ve seen attendees turn this mnemonic challenge into a game, by trying to guess each other’s specialty based on acronym stickers during receptions or networking events, a challenging yet amusing pastime.
As a first-time queer attendee, one of those acronyms stood out to me and quite literally made my week. That is EDI, which stands for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Thanks to these three letters, and the people that stand behind them, for the first time in my life I didn’t have to weirdly tip-toe around my identity to fit in. I just did right away!
For those of you who haven’t heard about it yet, the EGU EDI Committee aims is to provide a safe space for everybody to discuss science and enjoy themselves, while also encouraging underrepresented people to make their voices heard. The Committee is currently chaired by Lisa Wingate and has 14 additional members, mostly volunteers, that co-ordinate with representatives from EGU’s sibling societies.
During EGU26, you might have spotted EDI members at their booth on the Purple Floor, where they were busy distributing alternative lanyards to help you navigate the conference safely and hosting highly attended quizzes.
A small crowd attending an EDI quiz during EGU26. Did you go? Credits: Jakup Stepanovic.
Alternative lanyards distributed by EDI at the general assembly. Each lanyard can signify different things, allowing people to connect with their communities or convey their needs quickly. Credits: Chaimae Baddad.
You may have also stopped to look at the EDI Inclusivity tree which was in full bloom thanks to people’s ideas and hopes, hanging on it in the form of little garlands. Many people expressed the bliss of rejoining with their communities during EDI events and receptions, but also shared the challenges that they still face in both their careers and personal lives. Furthermore, since 2023, the committee EDI promote an award that recognises the significant contributions by an individual or a team who have put into exemplary practice the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), resulting in a positive change in the experience of the geoscience community.
The EDI tree on day one of the conference. Notes and ideas kept pouring in in the following days! Credits: Chaimae Baddad.
Garlands on the EDI tree. Credits: Chaimae Baddad.
As EDI Committee Deputy Chair Anita di Chiara explained, they work hard the whole year to achieve all of this.
“We start prepping for the next General Assembly around July!”, she says.
However, the current global climate presents significant challenges for EDI initiatives. The polarization surrounding identity politics, combined with mounting scrutiny of EDI commissions worldwide, is creating an environment that directly impacts the safety and well-being of marginalized communities. This is why the last day of EGU hosted a Great Debate about the future of EDI, discussing how to move forward with a constructive attitude and highlighting the benefits that EDI has achieved not only for scientists but for science itself.
Panelists during the Great Debate “What’s next for EDI in these turbulent times? ” at EGU26. From left to right: Marguerite Xenopoulos (Trent University), Brandon Jones (American Geophysical Union), Yukihiro Takahashi (Hokkaido University), Alberto Montanari (University of Bologna) and Convener Claudia Jesus-Rydin. Panelist Dan Robertson from Fairer Consulting is speaking on the podium. Credits: Manuela Gialanella.
The debate sparked enthusiastic participation, so much so that time ran out before all questions could be addressed. Attendees shared their perspectives on the intersection of EDI and AI, and emphacised the power of collective action and allyship. While many shared goals emerged, some disagreements naturally surfaced. Rather than a setback, this dialogue reflects the core of EDI: creating a space where everyone can voice their perspective without fear of dismissal. Facing these challenges requires honest conversations to build environments where everyone truly belongs, and where diversity is not just accepted, but actively expected.
If you couldn’t make it to the debate but you’d like to provide some feedback to EDI based on your experience, you may reach out to Lisa wingate at edi@egu.eu . Positive messages are welcome; constructive criticism even more!
