Equity,
Diversity
and
Inclusion
The WST community comprises approximately a thousand researchers, engineers, students, and staff from different academic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple continents. The WST Consortium strives to provide a welcoming and safe environment that promotes engagement, collaboration, and growth for all, grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The WST Approach
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) refer to the intentional practices and values that ensure fair access to opportunities, representation of a broad range of perspectives, and the creation of an environment where all members can contribute fully and thrive. For a global scientific collaboration such as the Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST), EDI is not an optional add-on but a foundational element of scientific excellence. The scale and diversity of the collaboration emphasizes that WST naturally encompasses a wide range of cultural backgrounds, career stages, national infrastructures, and lived experiences. Effective EDI policies help ensure that this diversity becomes a scientific strength: enhancing creativity, improving problem-solving, increasing innovation, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the project. By actively fostering inclusive practices, transparent governance, and equitable access to leadership and scientific roles, the WST can build a collaborative culture in which all participants are empowered to contribute to their full potential, ultimately enabling better science and a healthier, more resilient community.
“Enriched by our varied perspectives, we are united by a shared commitment to building and sustaining a healthy, inclusive community within the WST, one that offers a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment for everyone in the collaboration. Our diversity of experiences has shaped the core values that guide our work: embracing and respecting different viewpoints, upholding integrity and honesty, and fostering transparency in decision-making and communication. At the same time, we acknowledge that our group does not encompass the full diversity of our community. EDI work gains depth and impact as more voices join the conversation, and we warmly welcome the participation of colleagues across roles, identities, institutions, geographic regions, and career stages.”
The mission
The WST EDI working group (WST EDI WG) was established with the vision of serving as a central advisory body that supports, informs, and collaborates closely with the WST Project Office on matters related to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the entire collaboration. Its role includes providing a consistent Point of Contact for the global WST community and facilitating communication, identifying emerging needs, and ensuring that concerns or suggestions related to EDI are heard and addressed. As the project grows and its membership expands across continents, career stages, and scientific disciplines, the committee is designed to evolve in response to community input and project requirements, ensuring that EDI considerations remain integrated into governance, operations, and everyday interactions.
The WST EDI WG
The WST EDI WG is a dedicated group of scientists drawn from different working groups within the WST, representing a variety of scientific interests, professional backgrounds, and career stages across Europe and Chile.
The WST EDI WG strives to promote a collaborative culture rooted in trust, professionalism, and mutual respect across all roles, cultural backgrounds, geographic locations, and career levels.
“Looking ahead, we aim to embed equity, transparency, and shared responsibility into the fabric of WST’s governance and scientific culture, ensuring that inclusion becomes a defining principle of how we work together. To learn more about our ongoing and upcoming initiatives, have a look at our “News” space for upcoming activities, and please reach out if you would like to get involved.”
Reporting and Accountability
Informal:
Ombudspersons:
Mathilde Jauzac [she/her], mathilde.jauzac [at] durham.ac.uk
Sarah Bosman, bosman [at] thphys.uni-heidelberg.de
Ciro Pappalardo [he/him], ciro [at] oal.ul.pt
EDI co-chairs:
Anna Puglisi, lead [she/her], a.puglisi [at] soton.ac.uk
Amelia Bayo, co-lead [she/her], abayo [at] eso.org
Ombuds
In addition to the EDI WG, the WST benefits from the presence of three ombudspersons who serve the entire collaboration. These individuals act as independent, confidential points of contact for any member experiencing interpersonal, group, or professional difficulties. Their neutrality and discretion ensure that concerns can be raised and addressed safely; their names and contact details are listed below.
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OVER 1000 members
from 37 countries across five continents have joined the team