The space and satellite industry is full of excitement and innovation. It has the potential to create even more positive impact in society and one way this can be achieved is to harness the power of diversity and inclusion among its workforces.
Diversity and inclusion are not only values that we should uphold, but also bring advantages that we should all benefit from. Research has shown that teams that are diverse and inclusive perform better, produce more innovative solutions, and have higher customer satisfaction.
The space industry can benefit from diversity and inclusion in many ways:
- As a global endeavor that requires collaboration and cooperation among different countries, cultures, and stakeholders – a diverse and inclusive workforce can help build mutual understanding, respect, and trust among partners, as well as increase the relevance and impact of space activities for different communities.
- As a complex and dynamic field that requires a wide range of skills, knowledge, and expertise – a diverse and inclusive workforce can help bring different perspectives, ideas, and insights to the table, as well as enhance creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities.
- As a visionary and inspirational field that aims to explore the unknown and expand the horizons of humanity - a diverse and inclusive workforce can help inspire more people to pursue careers in space, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented in the sector.
The space and satellite industry has made some progress in promoting diversity and inclusion in recent years, but there is still more work to be done. People with disabilities face barriers due to a lack of understanding of needs; stereotypical views need to be overcome. According to a recent survey by the European Commission, women make up only 20% of the workforce in the space sector, and minorities are also highly underrepresented.
https://www.copernicus.eu/en/news/news/observer-towards-equality-cosmos-and-diversity-inclusion-space-sector
The space and satellite industry can take concrete actions to improve diversity and inclusion at all levels. Some of these actions include:
- Investing more in education, training, mentoring, and career development for current and future space professionals from diverse backgrounds.
- Space Agencies are engaging more with schools, universities, civil society organisations, and media to raise awareness and interest in space among diverse audiences.
- Implementing more policies, practices, and initiatives that support diversity and inclusion in recruitment, retention, promotion, leadership, culture, and governance.
- Collaborating more with other sectors, industries, and disciplines that have more experience and best practices in diversity and inclusion.
The industry must prioritise a diverse and inclusive work culture where individuals are hired and promoted from a variety of different backgrounds and these differences valued and respected. Working towards a healthier, more empowering working environment will provide the opportunity for the space and satellite sector to achieve their full potential for innovation and progress.
What else can the industry do to move forward on this topic?
Further info:
https://technologymagazine.com/digital-transformation/the-drive-for-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-space-industry
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/05/advancing-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-competed-space-mission-leadership-at-nasa-will-require-extensive-efforts-along-entire-career-pathways-says-new-report