The AESS Diversity Webinar Series is a series of presentations and/or discussions aimed at advancing discourse in diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental studies. The intended audience for the series are administrators, faculty, staff, and students in higher education, environmental studies departments, environmental non-profit organizations, foundations, and their partners. The Diversity Webinar Series would be implemented as 5-8 live virtual sessions in 2024. The recordings will be uploaded to the AESS website and on Youtube.

AESS, in partnership with Antioch University, created the 2020 AESS Diversity Webinar Series at a pivotal moment in our culture when the murder of George Floyd, racial protests, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated action on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education institutions. Four years later, we find ourselves in a very different moment. While there are more DEI initiatives than ever, the Supreme Court recently rolled back affirmative action in higher ed admissions, and states like Florida are dismantling DEI initiatives and banning discussions of critical race theory in classrooms. We need forums to understand this moment, fight back, and maintain momentum towards diversity, equity, and justice. As we strive to meet the critical challenges of preparing the next generation of the environmental workforce and figuring out solutions to the climate crisis, the AESS 2024 Diversity Webinar Series would provide the tools and resources needed to center diversity, equity, and justice in tackling these challenges.