Allie McCarthy

In the Spring of 2023, several graduate students at Boston University, including myself, got together to build a group which focuses on the recruitment and retainment of underrepresented peoples in Astronomy and associated fields. Our group has three main pillars: Outreach, DEI initiatives, and an Affinity group.

Since the creation of Inclusive Astronomy, the department has seen a massive growth in outreach initiatives and events, due to the facilitation of planning and executing that Inclusive Astronomy provides. One of our most successful events to date includes #ScienceTrain -- an initiative where we jump aboard the Boston Subways and answer any and all questions about science! When we started, the only participants were Boston University Astronomy graduate students, however, it is not uncommon now for us to be joined by students from other departments and universities in the Boston area.