Community and Values
The LPL community is committed to creating a working environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all.
This web page was modified under instructions from the University of Arizona on April 14, 2025
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Statement on Merit, Excellence, and Access in Science
Science thrives when different perspectives and ideas contribute to the pursuit of knowledge. At the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL), we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual is valued for their contributions, skills, and dedication to advancing planetary and space sciences. We believe that achieving excellence in scientific research requires embracing a wide array of viewpoints and backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate based on merit, hard work, and expertise.
LPL is committed to upholding the principles of fairness and academic excellence. We believe that a culture of respect fosters scientific discovery. Our pledge is to ensure that all individuals are empowered to contribute to scientific discovery and have the chance to participate and succeed based on their skills, hard work, and contributions to the field.
LPL is committed to fostering an environment that encourages everyone to pursue excellence and understanding in planetary science. We strive to cultivate an atmosphere of professionalism, collaboration, and academic integrity, ensuring that every scientist and student has access to opportunities based on merit and achievement. By maintaining a focus on scientific excellence, LPL upholds the values of fairness in advancing planetary and space sciences.
Our focus continues to be on fostering a workplace where every employee can thrive based on their talents and efforts, ensuring fairness, equality, and a culture free from harassment.
LPL is at the forefront of planetary and space sciences, and as such must stand as an ally to and in solidarity with its community members regardless of sex, race, age, national origin, immigration status, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical ability, income, faith and non-faith perspectives, socio-economic class, political ideology, education, primary language, family status, military experience, cognitive style, and communication style, and all people who intersect these groups. We strongly believe that the science and knowledge we pursue every day is not only a human pursuit, but also strengthened through the participation of these historically minoritized groups.
All of us in planetary science must recognize that past practices in STEM fields have not been welcoming or encouraging to these groups. To move forward, we must all actively engage in counteracting the ongoing issues these groups face within our field.
Resources on Equity Issues
Tests, readings, and definitions relating to equity.
If there are problems
If you believe you have been discriminated against (see Non-Discrimination Policies), contact these individuals and offices.
PLANETS-LPL
The Planetary Agender, Non-binary, womEn and Trans Scientists (PLANETS-LPL) group provides a platform to socialize, network, discuss challenges encountered in careers in planetary science as well as equity issues and share information on opportunities and events focused on people with gender identities that are underrepresented, minoritized or marginalized within science.
Other Resources
A non-exhaustive list meant to give an overview of campus organizations as well as local and nationwide groups aimed at supporting individuals from underrepresented groups at the university, in academia and in STEM fields.