GW Physics Community
The GW Department of Physics strives to create a community-oriented environment in which everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging, no matter a person’s race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, or other diverse background. Important components of the department’s efforts in this area are the activities of the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) committee, which has a membership representing faculty, staff, and students; the student-led Physicists of Underrepresented Genders (PUGs) group; and the Society of Physics Students (SPS). These organizations work together with the department leadership to continuously improve the department, so everyone in the department can be themselves and thrive.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee - JEDI
This committee was initially established as the Culture and Diversity committee within the Physics Department at GWU in the fall of 2020 with the following charge: "The Culture & Diversity committee supports the Department’s goals to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all its members, and increase diversity in its community. The committee will have broad Department representation, including faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students. They will identify areas of change in the department culture and of potential increase in its diversity, and will develop best practices for improving equity and inclusion."
In fall of 2021, the name was changed to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and more recently the name Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee has been adopted. The Committee has been a regular sponsor of a variety of activities within the department including book swap events, end-of-semester de-stressor gatherings, Town Hall meetings, colloquia with JEDI guest speakers, as well as participation in the GWU Diversity Summit. If you would like to participate and/or help organizing events, or just have a good idea for the JEDI Committee, please reach out to the Physics Department.
Physicists of Underrepresented Genders (PUGs)
The Physicists of Underrepresented Genders (PUGs) is a student-led organization with the purpose of supporting historically underrepresented genders in physics by promoting the inclusion, participation, and success of women and gender minorities in the department. All students are welcome to join and participate in PUGs for a safe space to share common interests and experiences as well as promote values of community and open-mindedness.
If you are interested in joining PUGs please fill out this form.
