Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity Is the Mix

Diversity is the mix of people who bring their distinct talents and experiences to our teams. Diversity includes dimensions that distinguish groups and people from one another, such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, and religion. And it’s more. It also includes dimensions such as academic disciplines, organizational affiliation, work experiences, interests, and personality types.

Equity Is Enabling and Empowering the Diverse Mix

Equity is enabling and empowering the diverse mix of people according to their needs. Equity recognizes that individuals benefit from tailored support for equal access to opportunities.

Inclusion Is Engaging the Mix

Inclusion is engaging the diverse mix of people to realize the full potential of our teams. Inclusion embraces the creative tension that stems from the variety of ideas that naturally emerge from high-performing diverse teams. It also fosters a collaborative culture that welcomes and respects everyone, and empowers all of our staff to contribute ideas that maximize our creativity and innovation.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Together, we create defining innovations that ensure our nation’s preeminence in the 21st century. 

Coming from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are united by our desire to contribute solutions to the critical challenges of our nation and the world. Only by enabling and empowering all of our people can we solve these complex problems. 

A diverse workforce and equitable and inclusive work environment enable us to develop talent and foster a culture in which all of us are comfortable being our authentic selves and sharing our ideas. Having everyone’s voice heard empowers us to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place. 

We make our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) something we live by every day.

Leadership Support

APL executive leadership knows that our success demands both quality and versatility in our staff. Also fundamental to our success is an environment that encourages creativity and promotes new ideas. This kind of environment exists when race, gender, religion, and other such characteristics do not define talent. With the goal of ensuring APL is a model organization for DEI, APL’s most senior executives work as a team to identify and encourage practices that foster a vibrant and collaborative culture, promote diversity of thought, and leverage the uniqueness of APL’s workforce to maximize creativity and innovation.

Fostering Unity and Staff Empowerment

Staff members from across APL, representing all departments and sectors as well as the Lab’s diversity-related affinity groups and councils, are engaged in a Labwide employee resource group called FUSE (Fostering Unity and Staff Empowerment). FUSE strives to develop and implement initiatives to promote a positive, diverse, and inclusive culture to attract and retain top talent and amplify the innovative power of our staff members.

Localized Teams

DEI-focused teams exist in every department and sector at APL. These teams work closely with the FUSE employee resource group, affinity groups, and Lab leadership to develop and implement initiatives to promote a positive, diverse, and inclusive culture within their respective organizations.

DEI Ambassadors

APL’s DEI ambassadors are allies, messengers, and connectors. In addition to being available to talk with staff members, they promote awareness of DEI activities throughout the Lab and connect staff members with colleagues and resources.