Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) believes a diverse and inclusive culture built on mutual respect and understanding is an important strength that requires continuous development. We welcome and encourage diversity in our candidates and continually assess our recruitment and hiring processes and procedures to ensure that there are no barriers that would prevent diverse candidates from applying and feeling welcome at our Institution. We are committed to a sustained, Institution-wide effort to advance inclusive excellence and foster belonging throughout WHOI.

The issues we explore are global in nature and our science has the opportunity to impact people everywhere. Encouraging thoughts and ideas from diverse perspectives is one of our core values as we seek to understand the role of the ocean in our Earth system.

Diversity at WHOI means understanding, respecting, and valuing differences in age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. Our objective is to allow all of our employees, postdocs, and students to have the opportunity to develop and reach their fullest potential.

WHOI has several employee-led committees whose goals are to increase awareness and engagement in various efforts related to diversity and inclusion.

• Workplace Climate Committee: This committee meets regularly to provide leadership on the development and implementation of efforts to continuously improve workplace climate at the Institution.
• Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Members from various departments, disciplines, levels, ethnicities and gender around the institution come together to share their unique backgrounds, experiences, and ideas to discuss and bring to life the meaning, effects and benefits of diversity and inclusion at WHOI.
• The Woods Hole Diversity Initiative and Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee is a consortium of science and research institutions in Woods Hole, MA. WHOI is proud to be an active member. Other participating institutions include the Marine Biology Laboratory, Sea Education Association, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Research Center, and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services.
• Women's Committee: Established in 1973, this committee is responsible for considering matters of special concern to women. Its main goal is to be a forum for the ideas and concerns of women that are associated with WHOI.
• International Committee: A group of volunteers developed this committee to provide support and assistance and build a community amongst and for foreign nationals at WHOI.
• GLOW - Gays, Lesbians and Others in Woods Hole: A group who promote the welcoming environment at WHOI for everyone and who organize events for the community at large.

As a world class institution of scientific research, engineering, and education we recognize that diversity and learning are fundamentally linked to our growth, prosperity, and longevity in an increasingly global enterprise. The most assured means to attain the benefits of diverse ideas is to draw from a pool of diverse people whose experiences, concepts, and realities are varied. By ensuring an equitable workplace and by respecting and valuing differences in race, gender, ethnicity, age, physical and language abilities, culture, religion, and sexual orientation, opportunities become numerous. Approaches to problem-solving and decision-making are multi-dimensional, empowering staff to thrive and do their best work and ultimately lead to the success of the Institution.

General inquiries regarding DEI at WHOI can be directed to the Chief Diversity Officer at natalie.nevarez@whoi.edu.