OSA Board member Ursula Keller and past president Anthony Johnson are pleased to announce a new space in OPN that will explore how the optics community can broaden its own spectrum.

The vision for the column

We proposed this new column because we are concerned about the slow pace of progress in recruiting and retaining talented women and minority scientists. In February, Ursula discussed with the OPN Editorial Advisory Committee the need to highlight the complex and subtle factors that are discouraging or excluding women and minority scientists. We want to stimulate discussion about it. We must try harder to make a difference. The OPN Editorial Advisory Committee was supportive of a column designed to shed light on diversity issues. We now encourage you to send us your ideas and contributions. We believe that change must come from the heart of the science community - the working scientists and decision-makers. Launching the column is timely, in the sense that this initiative is supported by senior scientists who are eager to comment on their own experiences. As experienced professionals, we are able to say, “I made it, and here is what worked for me.” We’re also in a good position to talk about what we view as the barriers to full participation. Let us now have an open discussion.