An Astronomical Inclusion Revolution

Dr. Dara Norman is the Deputy Director of the Community Science and Data Center at the NSF National Optical and Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) in Tucson, AZ. Her research interests include the study of active galactic nuclei as a phase of galaxy evolution. She has served as AURA/NOAO Diversity Advocate, on the governing board of the American Astronomical Society, where she chaired the task force that revised the society's Ethics Code. She has been an active member of the AAS's Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (CSMA); chair of the astronomy and astrophysics section of the National Society of Black Physicists; and co-organizer of the 2015 Inclusive Astronomy Conference. She is a mother of two and spouse of one.

Dr. Timothy Sacco is an LSST-Discovery Alliance Catalyst Fellow in the School of Sociology at the University of Arizona. His research interests include the study of work and organizational dynamics in science. From 2021 until 2023, he was a postdoctoral fellow at NSF National Optical and Infrared Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) in Tucson, AZ, where he worked on the U.S. Extremely Large Telescope Program's Research Inclusion Initiative. While at NOIRLab, he worked alongside Dr. Norman to develop a Toolkit of Collaborative Practice, a resource designed to help Astronomers construct equitable and inclusive research collaborations. He has been an active member of the American Sociological Association's section on Science, Knowledge, and Technology. In 2017, he and his coauthors presented their research on inclusive collaborations to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He currently lives in central New York with his partner and son.

Dorian Russell (they/them) is a public policy professional with advocacy and work experience in local, state, and federal government. Trained as an environmental scientist, Dorian's interdisciplinary career has focused on interpreting and applying science for decision makers and community. At the time of this book's writing, they serve as program administrator for Washington County, Oregon guiding the use of $117M across 50+ pandemic response and recovery programs in public health, workforce development, broadband access, and more. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorian's research and advocacy activities focused on addressing workforce barriers for scientists and engineers, notably those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and people with disabilities. In their free time, Dorian serves on the City of Hillsboro's Library Board advocating against book bans and for broadening resource accessibility. Formerly a homeless youth, they are also proud to serve on the Executive Board for HomePlate Youth Services, the only nonprofit providing both street outreach and drop-in services for homeless youth in their community. Dorian has been recognized nationally by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL), the White House Council on Women and Girls, and others for their leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategies across sectors.