ESVI REU: Earth Science on Volcanic Islands REU Program

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Our Commitment to You

A core mission of the ESVI REU is to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, accessiblity, and educational justice in all elements of our program. We believe that progress in science is propelled by a diverse contribution of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. We also believe that a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive learning environment enables individuals to thrive, both personally and professionally. Likewise, we aim to celebrate indigenous ways of knowing, and promote participation from communities that have been historically underserved by STEM education.

In the ESVI REU, this means that we will:

  • Strive to offer opportunities to students from groups traditionally underserved in STEM, including those from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Prioritize the development of inclusive, diverse, and supportive student cohorts
  • Promote collaborative relationships that create an environment of shared success and empower all participants
  • Consciously work to understand and overcome barriers so that every ESVI REU participant is able to be successful in their research and career goals

Land Acknowledgement: As a community that studies and appreciates the natural landscapes that surround us, we, the Earth Sciences ʻohana, acknowledge Hawaiʻi as an indigenous space whose original people are today identified as Native Hawaiians. The ‘āina on which we gather, teach, and learn is part of the larger territory recognized by Indigenous Hawaiians as their ancestral grandmother, Papahānaumoku. We recognize that her majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom and these territories under duress and protest to the United States to avoid the bloodshed of her people. We further recognize that generations of Indigenous Hawaiians and their knowledge systems shaped Hawaiʻi in a sustainable way that allows us to enjoy her gifts today. For this, we seek to support the varied strategies that the Indigenous peoples of Hawai‘i are using to protect their land and their communities, and we commit to dedicating time and resources to working in solidarity.