October 4, 2016
San Francisco State's Kim Coble to present inclusivity lecture
Kim Coble, associate professor of physics and astronomy at San Francisco State University, will present an informal talk on "Inclusive Astronomy" at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in 119 Cardwell Hall.
Coble will report research highlights, tools, strategies and recommendations from the Inclusive Astronomy 2015 conference, organized around four broad areas: breaking down barriers to access for marginalized groups; creating inclusive climates; addressing access to power and leadership; and establishing a community of practice.
Inclusive astronomy takes an intersectional approach, as racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism and other forms of discrimination are linked. The American Astronomical Society has endorsed the Inclusive Astronomy vision statement; Coble will describe ways in which individual institutions might implement specific recommendations and strategies most salient to their particular environment.
Coble is a member of the American Astronomical Society astronomy education board and committee on the status of minorities in astronomy, and was an organizer for Inclusive Astronomy 2015 conference. She was a faculty member at Chicago State University for 12 years.
Coble currently is a National Science Foundation astronomy and astrophysics postdoctoral fellow.
Coble received her doctorate from the University of Chicago and transitioned from cosmological science to physics and astronomy education research.