On November 19th, as part of the professional development lunch series funded by a School of Science Quality of Life Grant, WIC and CADI co-hosted Alessandra Robinson, Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs at MIT, and Lauryn McNair, Assistant Director of Intercultural Engagement and LBGTQ+ Services at MIT, to facilitate a discussion how various identities intersect to influences experiences in systematic ways.
The lunch began with Lauryn and Alessandra describing the resources available at MIT and providing definitions of identity and intersectionality in order to have a shared vocabulary. Then, in smaller discussion groups, we had a chance to learn more about various terms and identities regarding intersectionality, diversity, and inclusion by playing the SPXCE game. Finally, we had a chance to brainstorm various actions that we as graduate students and postdocs can do in order to make the department more inclusive spaces for all identities. This lunch gave members of the department an introduction to the language necessary to start the conversations regarding how the identities of the various members of the department intersect and how we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive space. Stay tuned for the next professional development lunch in the coming months!