ACS DEIR Webinars and Training

We invite you to explore the resources below that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in STEM fields from the American Chemical Society. These videos and tutorials are freely available through the American Chemical Society Webinars Library.

  • Leading Inclusively: Beyond Lip Service, an ACS sponsored self-paced free training module.

    This 1-hour, on-demand foundational course will introduce ACS Volunteers, Members, Staff, and future leaders to ACS Core Values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect and present scenarios in which those core values can be put into practice in their work. (From the ACS website.)

  • Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Mentors, Imposter Syndrome, and Diversity

    Dr. Armando M. Rivera-Figueroa, Dean of Economic Development and Workforce Education at Los Angeles City College will share the inspirational story of his journey overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities on his way to a successful academic career as a Community College chemistry faculty, investigator, and administrator. Learn the importance of choosing and having a mentor at all stages of an academic and professional career, how imposter syndrome can show up unannounced, why it is important to recognize it, and ways to overcome it; and finally, how to champion diversity, when and how to speak up, and why it is important to do it. Register now to learn how to embrace diversity, take as many opportunities as possible, and never be ashamed to ask for help! (From the ACS website.)

  • Leading and Living Inclusively

    Current tragic events remind us constantly that injustice and inequality exist — and have existed for far too long — in real and tangible ways, both within our communities and in business. However, it’s often hard to know what to do, how to help, or where to start as individuals. All organizations (including yours and ours) need bold leaders to ignite change, create, and sustain long-term momentum. Leaders, at every level, must be equipped to effectively eliminate racism, discrimination, and bias across organizations, industries, and society. Certified diversity coach and author La'Wana Harris provides guidance and a safe place to start you on the journey toward inclusive leadership. During this free interactive broadcast, you will gain insights and tools to help you and your organization value and leverage the unique strengths and talents of all individuals. (From the ACS website.)

  • How to Recognize and Respond to Microaggressions

    Microaggressions are everyday verbal and nonverbal slights, snubs, or insults, which can be either intentional or unintentional. These actions communicate negative or hostile messages that are solely based on the recipient’s perceived marginalized group membership. Learning & Development Manager Fatima Dainkeh for She+ Geeks Out, discusses what microaggressions are with every day examples, how they manifest, and how we can respond to them. (From the ACS website.)

  • Not Everything Meets the Eye: Invisible Disabilities and Special Abilities

    One in four adults in the United States identify with having a disability and only about half of those disabilities are outwardly visible. Pepsi Holmquist of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Melissa Postlewaite, Chair of the Disability OutReach Inclusion Community, and Stefan Kilyanek of the University of Arkansas, will shed light on experiences that younger chemists with invisible disabilities and special abilities have had, and promote inclusion of people of all abilities. (From the ACS website.)

  • The Resilience of Women in Chemistry

    The pandemic affected professional lives in many ways and forced us to confront challenges and modify our activities. As the effects of the pandemic abate, we are beginning to realize that understanding resilience is at the heart of moving forward. Patricia Silveyra of Indiana University Bloomington, Sara Mason of the University of Iowa, and Allison Aldridge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reflect on lessons learned and the paths to success during difficult times. During this free interactive broadcast discover how these successful women in the chemical enterprise overcame challenges, what constituted professional success for them, and the source of their resilience. (From the ACS website.)

  • Finding Your Voice in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conversation

    Current tragic events remind us constantly that injustice and inequality exist — and have existed for far too long — in real and tangible ways, both within our communities and in business. However, it’s often hard to know what to do, how to help, or where to start as individuals. All organizations (including yours and ours) need bold leaders to ignite change, create, and sustain long-term momentum. Leaders, at every level, must be equipped to effectively eliminate racism, discrimination, and bias across organizations, industries, and society. Certified diversity coach and author La'Wana Harris will provide guidance and a safe place to start you on the journey toward inclusive leadership. (From the ACS website.)

  • Psychological Safety is Lab Safety: Using RAMP to Assess DEIR Hazards

    Think back to a time when you tried to go to work or class tired, stressed out, or upset. You likely had difficulty focusing which lead to more mistakes, poor collaboration, and results that were not at your usual level. Now imagine that you feel this way every day at work, and the stakes are higher because those mistakes can lead to dangerous lab incidents. Challenges around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect are often thought of as HR issues, but poor mental health stemming from a toxic lab culture will inevitably lead to scientists engaging in risky lab behavior to protect their psychological safety at the detriment of their physical safety. Diversity of thought creates a culture to avert disaster and a workspace where safety can be proactive rather than reactive. Authors of “Reducing Risk: Strategies to Advance Laboratory Safety through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect,” Debbie Decker of ACS CHAS, Anna Dunn of Merck, and Daniel Jacques of SUNY Brockport, discuss the latest research regarding the intersection of Safety and DEIR with innovative ideas on how to mitigate this hazard. Discover how addressing DEIR hazards or issues by using the RAMP risk assessment framework will advance safety for all laboratory personnel. (From the ACS website.)

  • How to Make Your Communication Accessible: The Newly Expanded ACS Inclusivity Style Guide

    Inclusive communication considers word choice, formatting, image selection, and the accessibility of your content to all audiences. The term “accessibility” is commonly misunderstood or defined so broadly that it can be difficult for some people to make improvements. Associate Director Racquel Jemison of the Office of DEIR at ACS defines accessibility in three contexts: the use of plain language, compatibility with assistive technologies, and design and formatting. Discover how to incorporate accessibility in your writing or communication projects as well as a range of easy-to-apply activities for many forms of communication ranging from peer-reviewed technical papers to social media posts (From the ACS website.)

  • The Inclusivity Triangle: Approaching DEIR in Chemistry through Academia, Industry, and Community

    Advocating for greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) creates more equitable opportunity for all, but does it make good business sense? Yes! These values also accelerate growth, innovation, and performance in systems, processes, policies, and day-to-day operations, but where should we focus our efforts to create a strong foundation in perpetuity? Pamela Leggett-Robinson of PLR Consulting, Sherine Obare of North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro, and Shanina Sanders Johnson of Spelman College discuss how a culture of inclusion through culturally relevant teaching in academia, laboratory research in industry, and engagement within the Society can be an engaging productive catalyst for the chemical workforce and beyond. (From the ACS website.)