Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Statement, Definitions and Goals

The following were approved by the National Academy of Engineering Council at its February 12-13. 2020 meeting at the Beckman Center, Irvine, CA.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

The National Academy of Engineering requires and values the diversity of its members, staff, volunteers, and others who seek to contribute and recognizes inclusion and equity are vital to ensure all viewpoints, perspectives, and talents are brought to bear in addressing our nation’s critical engineering and technology challenges and promoting a vibrant engineering profession.

DEFINITIONS

“Diversity” includes a broad spectrum of attributes of members, staff, volunteers, and all who seek to contribute to the mission and vision of the NAE including but not limited to race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and employment sector. 

“Equity” is the absence of barriers, biases, and obstacles that impede equal access, fair treatment, and opportunity for contribution by all members, staff, and volunteers in all working, convening, and social environments to contribute to the values, mission, and vision of the National Academy of Engineering.​

“Inclusion” is defined as soliciting, valuing, and respecting the contributions of all NAE members, staff, volunteers, and others in all working, convening, and social environments in support of the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the National Academy of Engineering, which recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all.

GOAL 1: Embrace Diversity. NAE commits to diversity; recognizes talent is broadly distributed in society; acknowledges that unique perspectives drive innovation; appreciates the broad dimensions of identity; and confronts historic barriers and contemporary hurdles that shape and distort participation and success in engineering education and the profession.

GOAL 2: Expect Equity. NAE commits to equity that removes barriers, promotes access, and supports positive working, convening, and social environments

GOAL 3: Drive Inclusion. NAE commits to inclusion that drives recognition of diverse populations; celebrates multiple approaches and points of view in developing optimal solutions; builds capacity to strengthen the engineering profession; and builds and encourages relationships in NAE’s working, convening, and social environments.