Opening Remarks

Speakers*

Neil Pedersen, Transportation Research Board
Tina Frias, Harry Reid International Airport, Chair, Insight Event Project Panel

Overview

At the beginning of Day 1 of the Insight Event, the two speakers welcomed the audience, provided context for the event, and established ground rules for dialogue.

Detailed Summary of Opening Remarks

Neil Pedersen opened the Insight Event with brief remarks that introduced the National Academies, TRB, and ACRP. He described the role of the National Academies as providing independent advice on policy matters related to science, engineering, and medicine. As one of seven major programs within the National Academies, TRB is known for its convening activities, research, and advice given to the government. Pedersen explained that ACRP represents some of TRB’s research activities, with a specific emphasis on applied research. ACRP looks at the most significant issues facing the airport industry with the goal of developing information that advances the state of practice. ACRP disseminates that information through the production of reports and other publications and meetings such as Insight Events that are useful to industry practitioners. Insight Events help elevate the conversation on topics of interest to the industry to spark future research ideas and opportunities.

Pedersen shared that this particular Insight Event responds to TRB’s challenge for its divisions to center the concept of equity within its research programs. He noted that he believes TRB wants to have honest discussions and contribute solutions on this topic.

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^* Headshots, left to right: Neil Pedersen, Tina Frias.

He stated that he hoped the discussions at this Insight Event would help identify areas in which the National Academies, TRB, and ACRP could contribute.

Next, Tina Frias introduced herself, her role on the ACRP Insight Event project panel, and her role at the recently renamed Harry Reid International Airport. She expressed support for the central theme of this Insight Event. She noted that awareness and critical thinking on this event’s topic is “often disregarded in the aviation industry.” She was supportive of the audience’s presence and readiness to “engage in dialogue in hopes of making us better.”

Frias made announcements regarding the event to follow and recommended the social media hashtag #ACRPIMPACT. She shared a slide that summarized the Insight Event’s “Ground Rules for Courageous Conversations”:

• Create space for grace. This is challenging work that evokes feelings of anger, fear, defensiveness, shame, and grief. Direct and vicarious experiences of racism are hurtful.
• Recognize that racism—both direct and vicarious—continues to impact our industry and communities and continues to profoundly impact the lives of people of color.
• Give credit for being brave enough to come to the table. People may say things that are hurtful or ignorant. It may even feel intentional. Often it is not. We are all struggling.
• Listen, reflect, respond—in that order.
• Don’t double-team or pile on. Don’t interrupt or make personal attacks.
• If you feel angry or defensive, break the power of those emotions by declaring them.
• Walk away if it gets to be too much, and never challenge anyone for needing a break.

Finally, Frias thanked the members of the project panel for their hard work organizing the Insight Event and reminded the group that this work will be the foundation for the changes that we want to see in the industry.

Speaker*

Tina Frias, Harry Reid International Airport, Chair, Insight Event Project Panel

Overview

At the beginning of Day 2, the Insight Event project panel chair welcomed and oriented the attendees.

Detailed Summary of Opening Remarks

Tina Frias started the second day with a brief synthesis of discussions from Day 1 and an introduction of topics for Day 2. She reminded the audience of the “Ground Rules for Courageous Conversations,” encouraging the audience to remain honest and genuine in their reflections and dialogue. She revisited the closing comments from Day 1, specifically mentioning a few of the different ways of conceptualizing justice: deliberative, distributive, epistemic, procedural, and restorative. Frias also shared some personal reflections on her struggle as a double minority and how she navigates the workplace as a person with a multitude of identities (including those related to her religious beliefs and her family identity). She shared that the dialogue from Day 1 “reminded me that I am not alone, and you empowered me to embrace that uniqueness.”

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^* Headshot: Tina Frias.