Because the Council discussions in July will focus on the AIS DEIB portfolio, we would like to update you on the excellent work AIS has undertaken, and continues to undertake, in this area over time. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) standing committee, currently led by Vice President Manju Ahuja, began in 2018, but AIS has been committed to related initiatives since the founding of our field. For instance, in the minutes of the first AIS Council meeting, on December 9, 1995, the AIS President-Elect at that time, made a motion which was passed unanimously – “That it is the sense of council that it is desirable for all world regions to be represented in elections, to encourage geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity.” Personally, I’ve been inspired by the great work done by the DEIB committee and all those who have worked on these issues for decades, and I cannot think of good science without these values. Over the past few years, the DEIB committee has made tangible progress in ensuring that AIS is a truly inclusive and globally representative organization dedicated to supporting all members and all forms and regions of IS scholarship. Some of the major achievements and ongoing work include: - Expanding Access to Membership and Conferences – Through initiatives like the Ephraim McLean Membership Scholarship, the ICIS and AMCIS scholarship programs, and many others, AIS supports students and faculty from low and medium Human Development Index (HDI) countries in joining and engaging with AIS. Since 2019, the cumulative value of scholarships awarded through these programs exceeded $305,000 to more than 1700 recipients.
- Enhancing Representation in AIS Leadership and Awards – This group has worked to ensure that leadership, awards, and recognitions reflect the diversity of our membership. The newly formed Awards Working Group has strengthened fairness and transparency in nominations and selections, ensuring that excellence is recognized equitably. Led by:
o Alexandre Graeml, Federal University of Technology - Parana (UTFPR), Brazil o Monica Garfield, Bentley University, USA o Sam Zaza, Middle Tennessee State University, USA - Strengthening DEIB Messaging Across AIS – The DEI Statements Group has been instrumental in aligning inclusivity messaging across AIS chapters and committees, creating a unified, global perspective on diversity. Their work ensures that AIS remains a welcoming environment for members of all backgrounds. This group is led by:
o Massimo Magni, Universita' L. Bocconi, Italy o Roderick Lamar Lee, Penn State, Harrisburg, USA - Encouraging Engagement and Awareness – The Communications Group has been actively sharing DEIB-related initiatives, raising awareness, and inspiring engagement among members. Through newsletters, social media, and conference sessions, they have fostered conversations that reinforce the importance of inclusivity in AIS. Led by:
o Carmen Leong, University of New South Wales, Australia - Creating More Equitable Conference Experiences – Recognizing the financial barriers that can limit participation, the Conference Participation Group has focused on expanding opportunities for scholars from underrepresented regions to attend and present at AIS conferences. This work directly contributes to a richer, more diverse exchange of ideas in the field of Information Systems. Led by:
o Guillermo Rodríguez-Abitia, William and Mary, USA o Lemma Lessa, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia o Noorminshah (Min) A.Iahad, Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia We take this opportunity to thank all the members of our DEIB standing committee for their major contributions to AIS. Watch this video to learn more about AIS’s DEIB initiatives. | 
