MAVEN mission perspectives and approaches to inclusion

Abstract

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission (MAVEN) is a NASA spacecraft that has been orbiting Mars since 2014. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission team has established a current set of best practices to strengthen Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives; there are numerous axes of diversity, and this paper does not focus on one specific aspect of diversity but rather focuses on mission-specific approaches to inclusion. We present the past and present approaches as well as future initiatives and areas of improvement to continuing our efforts towards maximizing inclusion and engagement on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission team and its working environment. The approaches presented in this paper are applicable to the space physics and planetary science communities, as well as any large-scale science or mission teams.

Tailoring DEIA Programming through Current Field Analysis: Promoting Allyship in STEM of University Graduate Students

“…Diversifying STEM environments creates more positive workspaces and leverages cognitive differences, including neurodiversity, which can boost performance, innovation, and creativity [20][21][22]. Beyond traditional classrooms, diverse learning environments offer valuable lessons to students to bring with them into the workforce [22]. Additionally, diversity in STEM strengthens national security, the economy, and scientific achievements [6,[23][24][25].…”