The Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (MSSANZ) is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment at its meetings and events, and recognises the evidence that diversity promotes excellence in scientific endeavours. The society seeks broad representation of its research community in the selection of keynote speakers at official MSSANZ meetings. To address historical underrepresentation of women and other demographic groups at MSSANZ conferences and symposia, a set of guidelines are proposed for Stream Leaders and Session Organisers when contributing to congresses such as MODSIM.
These are as follows:
- Proactively encourage diversity in how sessions are organised at MSSANZ meetings, including Session Organisers, Session Chairs, Invited Speakers, and Session Speakers
- Ensure sessions are advertised broadly to different groups of potential speakers
- Consider the use of speaker invitations to target underrepresented groups, or consider directly contacting potential speakers who may offer a diverse viewpoint on the scientific topic of your session (e.g. Indigenous speakers, early career researchers, high profile researchers)
- Consider specifying a target on gender balance in speakers for your session or stream
- Give many voices a chance to speak and ask questions during sessions
- Encourage or promote networking events/opportunities for affinity groups during the congress.