About
IEEE PES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) shares the mission of IEEE, to foster technological innovation and excellence to benefit humanity. In accordance with IEEE Policy 9.8, this mission requires and embraces the talents and perspectives of people with different personal, cultural, and disciplinary backgrounds. In an increasingly global world, where different cultures, races, genders and identities are ever more closely connected, IEEE PES is strongly committed to meeting everyone’s needs equally as one of the main pillars of sustainable growth.
The purpose of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in IEEE PES is promoting an inclusive and equitable culture that welcomes, engages and rewards all who contribute to the field, without regard to race, religion, gender, professional role, educational background, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This is enhanced by a conscious strategy that focuses on developing the structures, systems, processes and culture that generate respect for the individual characteristics of all people within the organization, while also fostering a sense of belonging that makes everyone feel valued and part of the group and wider community.
IEEE PES is governed by the following DEI principles grouped around core PES activities:
- Member engagement and leadership development
- Acknowledge the diversity of IEEE PES members and promote equal opportunity, transparent communication, and non-discrimination to all the existing and new IEEE PES members.
- Facilitate the development of robust metrics, surveys, and reporting mechanisms to track progress on DEI principles in all IEEE PES activities.
- Promote the contribution of the knowledge, experiences, and abilities of all the IEEE PES members, regardless of any personal or social conditions or circumstances.
- Recognize the coexistence of different generations and levels of professional experience as a source of continuous enrichment to the PES, due to their diverse skills and approaches, and as a major contribution to the transformation of the services and benefits provided by the society to its members.
- Provide equal opportunity for professional and personal development, which entails the commitment to provide and show equitable treatment that promotes the personal and professional progress of the members in the following fields:
- Selection to roles and award and recognition nominations: appoint or nominate the best candidates based on their knowledge, abilities, and achievements
- Support the education and training of all IEEE PES members to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the proper performance of their role in IEEE PES and for their personal and professional growth.
- Elimination of any actions contrary to DEI principles.
- Showcase the DEI commitment of IEEE PES members and promote DEI campaigns through websites, eNotice and social media.
- Technical activities, conferences and meetings
- Encourage diverse and inclusive participation in committees across all PES activities (including technical committees, chapter committees, task forces, etc.).
- Establish clear criteria that adhere to DEI principles in selecting panelists, keynote speakers, and distinguished lecturers in all IEEE PES conferences and meetings.
- Improve accessibility, both physical and digital, to all IEEE PES conferences and meetings, by implementing affordable measures (e.g., wheelchair access in venues) and tools (e.g., online applications for visually impaired, real-time transcription of speech into text, etc.).
- Develop metrics to measure diversity, inclusivity and accessibility of conferences and meetings.
- Publications and digital experience
- Encourage formation of diverse and inclusive editorial boards by introducing focused nomination programs for potential associate editors among specific groups, such as Young Professionals, Women in Power and retired members.
- Improve accessibility of digital materials, especially in terms of addressing disabilities and language barriers, by introducing affordable online tools where applicable.
- Encourage the use of inclusive language in all IEEE PES publications and websites.
- Re-design online registration forms to recognize different aspects of diversity and thus enable comprehensive diversity profiling of IEEE PES members in all regions.
- Education
- Provide programs via IEEE PES University and similar platforms, such as webinars, in-person and virtual tutorials, and other learning modules, catering to a global audience, presented by diverse speakers and addressing the varied topics and levels of experience of power and energy students and professionals around the world.
- Enhance educational resources and professional development offerings to make them more accessible and inclusive, supporting the continuous learning of all IEEE PES members.
- Encourage and support PES scholarship programs in all regions.
- Promote power and energy subjects and showcase diverse careers in the field focusing on underrepresented groups in schools and universities.
The responsibility for this statement sits with the IEEE PES Member at Large DEI and the IEEE PES DEI Committee, with oversight from the IEEE PES President and the IEEE PES Governing Board. The DEI Committee will work with and draw upon support from its members and volunteers.
