Description
Students at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics within the University of Manchester have been running EquiTea sessions since 2022, inspired by Ares Osborn’s 2021 NAM talk ‘Creating EquiTea’. We have had over 20 speakers deliver talks or workshops on a range of EDI matters, which are followed by informal discussions about the topics raised. EquiTea has two founding statements: the observation that Physics and Astronomy is not equally accessible for all people from all backgrounds; and that by initiating discussion and engagement we can increase awareness and understanding, generating meaningful change.
This talk will explain the purpose and structure of EquiTea, then reflect on lessons learnt from 4 years’ experience of this community-led EDI initiative. Feedback from members of the department has been very positive, indicating that it has increased perceptions of safeness and welcomeness, and highlighting that EquiTea provides a platform to share minority and diverse lived experiences. Attendance has been good, primarily among early career researchers. Funding has been unstable, but our experience has been that we are able to function well without financial support.
The committee that organises EquiTea is eager to network with EDI initiatives at other UK departments. We would like to exchange ideas which engage audiences beyond those already involved in EDI discussions. We are aware that the size of JBCA allows us greater resources to run initiatives such as EquiTea, we are therefore interested in exploring ways of advancing the causes that motivate EquiTea beyond our own department.
