Uniting Geographers Worldwide

Integrating JEDI into Programming

The AAG has a responsibility to spearhead efforts that make the discipline more diverse in its composition, equitable in its practices, and inclusive in its culture. Work must be done simultaneously on three distinct levels. First, within the AAG, embedding JEDI principles comprehensively across programs and specialty areas is needed to foster a more open, inclusive community for current and prospective members. Second, recognizing that diversity, equity, and inclusion are hallmarks of a healthy department, the AAG should aid departments in their efforts to embody JEDI principles. Third, the AAG should create new pathways for engagement with community college educators, K-12 teachers, and their students to cultivate a robust and diverse cadre of emerging geographers.

Establishing AAG Organizational Tools to Support JEDI

To ensure effective adoption of JEDI principles and practices, we seek to design and operationalize tools that can support AAG leaders, staff, members, and departments. Development and implementation of an effective communication strategy could help grow and sustain JEDI in AAG. Such a strategy, utilizing multiple channels and modes of engagement, would also increase transparency. Additionally, the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive repository of resources, research, and best practices would enable sharing of JEDI knowledge and foster continual dialogue through training and interactive engagement.

Explore JEDI resources

Elevate the Discipline

AAG is committed to a new initiative that will help geographers elevate the profile of their work and show how essential geography is to understanding and solving the world’s most pressing issues. A tiered program will be launched to train geographers in leadership, media, and policy, and then connect and elevate their work in the public discourse (media + policy). Climate Change and Society will be the theme of the inaugural grand challenge with a three-year commitment. Climate change and society covers the broad spectrum of research and impacts from a changing climate. For example, research on patterns of energy, water, and food scarcity as well as social and environmental impact and justice around the world. Additional themes and cohorts will be added as funding allows.

Three-tiered Program

Programming

AAG will improve our Annual Meeting, virtual offerings, and other programmatic member services to ensure measurable impact for our core and growing membership groups. We will reimagine and implement the next generation of the AAG Annual Meeting, leveraging diverse personalized content and multiple modes of member engagement to deliver a meaningful and valuable member experience. We will create experimental structures that provide the best possible experience for all attendees regardless of modality of attendance. Beyond the annual meeting, AAG will create and implement a cohesive strategy for year-round offerings, articulating the desired audiences, impacts, and success measures forvirtual sessions, in-person meetings, and other events or programs. AAG will refine this strategy on the basis ofs member feedback and community engagement (Specialty Groups, Affinity Groups, Regions, etc.).

Membership

AAG will grow our membership across key member groups, including community college faculty and students, physical geographers, and geographers working outside of academia. This work includes member research, improvements to member dashboards, and streamlined join and renew processes. In addition, AAG will examine member fee structures to determine if they meet the needs of current and prospective members.

Learn more about membership

Community

AAG will enhance our engagement and outreach services to strengthen and grow communities. We will serve as a hub for established groups, such as Specialty Groups, Regional Divisions, and Departments, and emerging communities across the field.

Organizational Excellence

To carry out our ambitious planning, we will make sure to optimize the operational capabilities, efficiency, and performance of our support systems — HR, IT, finance, and governance — by fine-tuning our systems, processes, data management, and technology. We will invest in organizational effectiveness and staff training. We will also develop an inclusive and thoughtful leadership development strategy for involving members in service to the AAG — e.g., committees, task forces, Specialty and Affinity Groups, Regional Divisions, Council — creating a pipeline of engaged leaders in the discipline.

Learn more about our climate work