Project Spotlight
DEI in the Evolving Space Industry
Download our 2022 Annual Report and Toolkit.
About
The recent changes and rapid evolution of the Space Industry demands a fresh look at current workforce practices. We need diversity in our workforce to build a sustainable and representative space future. As we move forward into the Space Frontier, we believe it is our responsibility to create a future that is representative of the richness and diversity of planet Earth.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a term to describe the policies and practices that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals, including people of different ages, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations. Each word in this term has a distinctive definition. Diversity is about representation and an equal mix of identities within a group. Equity is providing equal access to resources, while providing additional support where needed for groups of individuals historically barred from equal access through implicit and explicit practices and laws. Inclusion is the act of building and maintaining a strong sense of belonging by actively inviting and valuing authentic contributions – fully empowering the participation of all people within a group.
Each term is an important aspect of creating a new normal within space industry workplaces that ultimately lead to better practices, products, and services that benefit the most people.
The Report
Our 2022 Annual Report and Toolkit is a first step in providing data and recommendations for a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative space industry. Space Frontier Foundation continues to serve as a resource in an effort to ensure the evolving space workforce is diverse and representative of the global population. In pursuit of this effort, we will periodically update these findings through annual at-will annual surveys and dedicated work with DEI initiatives and programs in the commercial space sector.
We encourage you to use our resources and accelerate DEI efforts within your organization by:
- Leveraging our survey template and DEI framework to create a representative baseline and consistent metrics of your organization’s DEI and Innovation goals
- Consulting with organizational DEI experts to customize DEI efforts to your organization’s current state and company goals
- Diversifying your recruitment and outreach efforts for representative workforce development
For additional resources including a list of recommended consultants and access to our survey template, please connect with us: resources@spacefrontier.org
The Report
Our 2022 Annual Report and Toolkit is a first step in providing data and recommendations for a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative space industry. Space Frontier Foundation continues to serve as a resource in an effort to ensure the evolving space workforce is diverse and representative of the global population. In pursuit of this effort, we will periodically update these findings through annual at-will annual surveys and dedicated work with DEI initiatives and programs in the commercial space sector.
We encourage you to use our resources and accelerate DEI efforts within your organization by:
- Leveraging our survey template and DEI framework to create a representative baseline and consistent metrics of your organization’s DEI and Innovation goals
- Consulting with organizational DEI experts to customize DEI efforts to your organization’s current state and company goals
- Diversifying your recruitment and outreach efforts for representative workforce development
For additional resources including a list of recommended consultants and access to our survey template, please connect with us: resources@spacefrontier.org
Our Approach
Download our 2022 Annual Report and Toolkit.
We sought to capture both the occurrence of incidents reflecting bias and the experiences historically marginalized individuals have in the space industry. Their experience is informed beyond specific instances of prejudice, and this analysis seeks to capture the multitude of ways humans understand their place in their workplace community. Therefore, the call for respondents to this survey did not aim for a representative sample of the space industry as a whole. Instead, this team largely petitioned commercial space professionals to complete the survey at-will.
This report includes results from a survey of 153 employees across the space industry with insights on industry demographics, work experience, pay and compensation, work culture, and the impacts of COVID in the workplace. The analysis of this survey data highlights DEI trends and challenges in the space industry. We also provide recommendations and a goal setting framework that any space industry leader can begin using today to improve their DEI objectives and outcomes.
Join Us
In response to our first report and findings, the Space Frontier Foundation is seeking interested organizations to establish an Evolving Space Workforce Coalition
The purpose of this Coalition will be to convene leaders in the Space Industry periodically to:
- Understand changes in the space industry that could impact workforce development
- Create a forum for open dialogue about diversity and representation in the space industry
- Collaborate to develop industry-wide resources and share data amongst industry sectors
- Become allies and advocates for changing policies, practices, and culture for the better
Interested in joining the Coalition?
Join Us
In response to our first report and findings, the Space Frontier Foundation is seeking interested organizations to establish an Evolving Space Workforce Coalition
The purpose of this Coalition will be to convene leaders in the Space Industry periodically to:
- Understand changes in the space industry that could impact workforce development
- Create a forum for open dialogue about diversity and representation in the space industry
- Collaborate to develop industry-wide resources and share data amongst industry sectors
- Become allies and advocates for changing policies, practices, and culture for the better
Interested in joining the Coalition?
In partnership with SATELLITE 2022, Space Frontier Foundation developed a panel series around Diversity and Inclusion in the Space Workforce. Our first annual report was introduced as part of the:
Examining the Space Industries Success and Challenges Panel.
Other panels in this series included: How to Hire and Retain Diverse Talent and Honing Power within your People
In partnership with SATELLITE 2022, Space Frontier Foundation developed a panel series around Diversity and Inclusion in the Space Workforce. Our first annual report was introduced as part of the:
Examining the Space Industries Success and Challenges Panel.
Other panels in this series included: How to Hire and Retain Diverse Talent and Honing Power within your People
Our Team
Christina Blacken
Lead Author
Founder, The New Quo
Becki Yukman
Lead Author
Interested in getting involved with this project?