Reflecting on Sea Grant’s Efforts to Strengthen DEIJA and Support Resilient Coastal Communities

Abstract

Since the establishment of the Sea Grant diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility community of practice (DEIJA Community of Practice, formerly DEI Community of Practice) in 2016, the network has created a strong foundation to support programmatic change, channels for information exchange, and a collaborative network that advance DEIJA. Members across the Sea Grant network developed the Reaching Outward and Looking Inward: Building Sea Grant Resilience from the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Current Conditions and Best Practices reports that serve as internal use references. These resources include case studies on the various ways the network is embedding DEIJA into programming. These reports influenced individual programs to consider their own strengths and areas for improvement in their administration, research, education, extension, and communication. Here, we provide an account of the recent history in DEIJA initiatives and the continued activities catalyzed by grassroots coordination across the 34 Sea Grant programs.