Space science is under threat from the anti-DEI purge
1 min read
Summary
Recent executive orders from the Trump administration have ended funding for diversity and inclusion programs at NASA, pausing community groups that engage with scientists and banning internal employee resource groups.
Terminations of probationary workers were narrowly avoided but there are still threats of deep layoffs and budget cuts of up to 50% to the agency.
Three offices have been closed and workers who remain are hiding symbols of LGBTQ+ pride and removing pronouns from their email signatures.
The impacts are being felt far beyond civil service, with universities and professional groups also chasing diversity and inclusion (DEI) goals.
Scientists are now looking to each other and to crowdfunding to continue fighting for DEI initiatives.
These attacks on DEI initiatives have no basis in scientific evidence, instead, it is an attack on the process of gaining a better understanding of the universe.