CERF 2025 Inclusive Culture

The CERF 2025 Inclusive Culture Committee is committed to making the conference a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place, as well as a place for expanding our understanding and knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA). This page collates all DEIJA conference efforts in one place for easy reference.

Safe and Welcoming CERF

• Code of Conduct and Form to Report Violations
• Safety and Accessibility
• CERF Navigators Program
• Conference Ombuds: Nnena Odum serves as CERF’s Conference Ombuds, a neutral, independent, off-the-record resource who is available on-site to hear concerns confidentially. The Ombuds can assist with identifying options and resources to address conflicts or issues such as harassment, microaggressions, discrimination, or any violation of CERF’s Event Code of Conduct. This new resource is available to all attendees, staff, exhibitors, and anyone participating in CERF 2025. The Conference Ombuds website has Nnena’s walk-in consultation hours as well as ways to contact her via email, phone, or confidential web form.

Inclusion and Belonging

• Family Friendliness
• Affinity Groups
• Mentorship Program and First Time Attendee Orientation

Financial Support

• Student/Early Career Participation Awards
• Student Volunteer Worker Program
• Caregiver Support Grants (CSG)
• Needs-Based Grants (NBG)

DEIJA-related Programming

• Workshops
• Using the Ocean Identity Model to Evaluate Program Impact Workshop
• The Japanese Art of Gyotaku
• Field Trip: Walking Tour of Jackson Ward
• Sessions

Local Resources

• BLK RVA: A celebration of Black culture in the Richmond Region, including food and drink, experiences, and events.
• Out RVA: A resource for the region’s best in LGBTQIA+ events, nightlife, dining, arts, culture and more.