Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
We are a nexus for hundreds of users from nearly every department, lab, and center at MIT, also welcoming numerous friends and visitors from academia and industry. As a central, shared facility, MIT.nano is uniquely positioned to advance equity, opportunity, and belonging, side-by-side as we work in advancing nanoscience and nanotechnology.
You, as a user, staff member, affiliate, or other member of our community belong here. MIT.nano is your space and your community. We look to you for guidance on what matters most to make MIT.nano a safe and welcoming place to work. Reach out to us with suggestions for actions or activities, or to share your concerns. MIT.nano is yours to shape.
You can contact the DEI Committee by sending an email to MITnano-DEI@mit.edu or by sending a message via this anonymous form.
Activities and Initiatives
- Conducting employee satisfaction and work-life surveys
- In 2023 & 2024, MIT.nano conducted a staff survey in coordination with MIT Institutional Research. We received anonymous responses from ~90% of staff, with particularly insightful answers to the open comment sections. Summary results were shared with all staff
- In 2024 we reached out to MIT.nano Affiliates in a companion survey
- Ensuring managers complete MIT HR training with specific focus on hiring diversity. Training includes:
- Hiring at MIT: Bias-Free Practices
- Fostering a Compassionate Community
- Hiring at MIT: Conducting Interviews
- Your Role as a Manager
- Monthly Roundtables
- Evaluating new employee onboarding process to ensure a sense of belonging
- Promoting resource sharing (e.g. articles, podcasts, books, seminars) among MIT.nano staff
- Expanding user/staff engagement events and social gatherings (Not exhaustive list):
- MIT.nano Service Day – 2023, CASPAR Cookout/Gardening
- MIT.nano Family Day
- Ice cream/cookie socials
- MARC/QUARC
- Monthly all staff, lunch + communication updates
- MIT.nano Giving – Holiday drive
- MIT.nano Town Hall user meeting
Committee members
Aubrey Penn, Research Specialist
Jordan Cox, Research Specialist
Kathy Boisvert, Administrative Officer
Kelly Gavin, Consortium Manager
Kris Payer, Assistant Director of Operations
Maansi Patel, Research Specialist
Nicholas Menounos (he/him/his), Associate Director of Infrastructure
Sam Farrell, Senior Administrative Assistant
Scott Poesse, Research Specialist
Vladimir Bulović, Faculty Director
Knowledge Blast
September 2024
Previous knowledge blasts are listed on this archive page. If you have suggestions for future knowledge blasts please email the DEI Committee.
Participate
As we explore and develop ideas and plans for MIT.nano, we welcome your participation, thoughts, and suggestions. The DEI Committee meets regularly, and you have an open invitation to participate. Just reach out to the DEI Committee via MITnano-DEI@mit.edu.
As our activities grow, please check back for updates. In the meantime, we encourage you to participate or learn more from the greater MIT community by visiting the following:
