Diversity committee

At the Université de Sherbrooke, women represent 16% of the physics student population, from bachelor to post-doctoral degree. Despite the progress made in recent years, women continue to be under-represented in several scientific fields. However, the lack of diversity in science does not stop with women; it also includes anyone from a minority group who faces particular obstacles in their journey towards a scientific career. The Comité pour la diversité en physique de l’Université de Sherbrooke (formerly the Regroupement des femmes en physique de l’UdeS) was created in the fall of 2016 as a result of a student initiative. The main objective of this committee is to promote diversity in physics and science. More specifically, the Committee wishes to break the isolation of women and people from minority group who are studying or working in physics, and to foster their sense of belonging to the UdeS Physics Department. In addition, the Committee wishes to participate in the recruitment of women and other under-represented individuals in physics, by organizing activities with a scientific focus among young people and by offering female and diversified models of success in science. The Committee also wants to foster brain retention in the field, leadership, and networking. Finally, the Diversity committee aims to raise public awareness of the problems related to the low representation of women and the lack of diversity in science as well as to contribute to the elimination of prejudices and stereotypes in order to create an environment conducive to the advancement of knowledge for all. For more information: physique.usherbrooke.ca/diphus www.facebook.com/DiPhUdeS