This article is part of a series celebrating students, staff, faculty or alumni who demonstrate a commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) on campus or in ways that meaningfully connect back to the Brock community. To read other EDI Changemaker features or learn more about the series, visit The Brock News or the Office of Human Rights and Equity website.

When Emily Hammond and her teenaged son, Griffin, visited the Earth Sciences Department this summer, they were greeted by a colourful rainbow mineral display that made a deep impression on the pair.

Hammond, an Administrative Assistant with Brock’s Facilities Management team, said the bright display in D-Block of the Mackenzie Chown Complex immediately caught their attention.

Housed inside a wall-mounted cabinet, the display features a rainbow banner backdrop with the message “Everyone is welcome in Earth Sciences!” in bold lettering. Colourful minerals found in nature sit in the forefront, each one matched to a colour of the rainbow.

While Hammond and her son started out discussing the minerals, their conversation quickly evolved into something deeper.

“We talked about how displays like this send a message that inclusivity matters and that creating a sense of belonging doesn’t always require a big announcement or grand gesture,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s a simple colourful display that makes someone stop, smile and feel welcome.”

The display’s creators, Professor of Earth Sciences Mariek Schmidt and graduate student Kael Doomernik, are being recognized as October’s EDI Changemakers by Brock’s Office of Human Rights and Equity (HRE) for their efforts to create a welcoming, positive and inclusive space.

Schmidt was inspired to create the display after a conversation with her daughter over an unfolding situation at her elementary school. She wanted to demonstrate to her daughter the positive ways a school can promote inclusivity while also creating a show of support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at Brock.

“It was a way to help, to bring awareness and prompt important discussion. In Earth Sciences, we’re always pushing for more inclusivity,” Schmidt said.

When it came to designing the display, Schmidt looked to Earth Sciences graduate student Kael Doomernik, who had previously used her artistic talents to help the department. Doomernik didn’t hesitate to help. As someone who identifies as queer, she said it’s meaningful to have this type of representation,.

“Inclusion isn’t separate from science. Science is a human endeavour, and building an inclusive scientific community is part of making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute,” she said.

The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, Schmidt said. Recently, a former doctoral student reached out to say they had been very moved by it.

“When they were first starting out at as a geology student in their undergraduate studies, having a display and show of support like this would have never happened,” said Schmidt. “Now, that’s changed — for the better.”

This display is part of a larger effort by the department to enhance diversity and create a culture of inclusion inside and outside the classroom.