In January 2021, the AIChE Board of Directors approved an updated, more comprehensive Equity-Diversity-Inclusion Statement. It begins with “AIChE believes that all who wish to be a part of the chemical engineering community should have equal opportunity to pursue and achieve success. . . . AIChE is committed to promoting a fair, just, and equitable profession and society.”
“The path to a fair, just, and equitable profession and society gives members the obligation to support and celebrate our advancement along an IDEAL path:
I (Inclusion) D (Diversity) E (Equity) A (Anti-Racism) L (Learning)
Included is a lexicon of these and other important terms in the full statement.
“To reach this IDEAL, AIChE is committed to creating, nurturing and expanding an inclusive, respectful and welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds and identities are valued and respected and can achieve their full potential, regardless of:
(i) race, ethnicity, or national origin; (ii) religious or spiritual practice, or absence thereof; (iii) sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation; (iv) family or relationship structure; (v) any type of disability or perceived disability, past or present; (vi) age; (vii) any ascribed status or visible or invisible difference.
“Through intersectionality and the awareness of shared difficulties, we can transcend our differences and achieve a better future for all.”
A Joint Task Force on EDI was formed last fall with representatives of all AIChE Operating Councils (CEOC, CTOC, and SIOC), the Fellows Council, and stakeholders from WIC, MAC, DORIC, LGBTQ+, and GSIC. The goal is to establish Institute guidelines and activities regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Several meetings have occurred, and reports will be issued soon.
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