Fostering Inclusion Through the APS Climate Site Visit Program

The APS Climate Site Visit Program has been operating since 1990. Climate site visits are a process to assist physics departments, labs, and consortia with understanding their current conditions and take action to foster environments that are inclusive and welcoming to women, gender diverse individuals, and underrepresented groups in physics. The goals of these visits are: (1) to improve the climate for all, with special attention to women, gender diverse individuals and underrepresented groups in physics; and (2) to provide assistance to departments, labs, or consortia to institutionalize positive climate changes. Engaging faculty, staff, and students in the process, APS leaders and volunteers conduct a two-day visit of the physics institution and then provide actionable recommendations and opportunities to foster a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment. Over the last quarter century, the environment in which the program has been operating has changed radically, and the advent of recent anti-DEI laws has jeopardized the ability of departments in certain states to participate in the Climate Site Visit Process. We will give an overview of the APS Climate Site Visit Program, share lessons learned from recent visits to help the audience improve the climate in their home institution, discuss ongoing innovation to enable full participation, and offer the audience opportunities to participate actively in improving the climate for all.