For more than 80 years, the Applied Physics Laboratory has focused on solving many of the most complex technical challenges facing our nation. In this quest, our greatest resource has always been our people. Every day, our staff members exemplify ingenuity, commitment, and dedication, leveraging all of their experiences and expertise to develop innovative solutions to the difficult problems our sponsors bring to APL.

As part of our continuing journey to ensure APL is a welcoming, inclusive workplace — where diverse teams collaborate to develop and deliver incredibly creative ideas, and everyone knows they are a valued contributor — we created this report to highlight the Laboratory’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and progress, through both data and the first-hand experiences of our staff members and teams.

The Laboratory’s vision is to create defining innovations that ensure our nation’s preeminence in the 21st century. We know that we can only achieve that vision by recruiting, developing, and empowering a diverse, multidisciplinary staff that can contribute fully to the difficult research and development challenges ahead.

In this report, you will see our continuing progress in developing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, one focused on inspiring all staff members to create new innovations and breakthroughs that will greatly benefit our nation and the world.

APL is dedicated to solving complex problems, pioneering new technologies, and taking on the nation’s toughest challenges. But what makes APL truly unique is the culture that enables the work we do.

When a team functions optimally, and its members are equipped to examine a challenge from multiple angles, creativity, collaboration, and perseverance lead to groundbreaking initiatives.

APL recognizes that innovation requires diverse perspectives, and we value the unique mix that each staff member brings — from their background and education to their professional experience to their hobbies and volunteer endeavors.

APL seeks to attract top talent from all over the country, and we’re committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and equitable and inclusive work environment. Every day we see the remarkable outcomes that occur when bold, curious minds with diverse perspectives join together and empower each other to explore, take risks, and do amazing things.

Fostering this culture means ensuring leaders and staff members understand the value that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) bring to the Lab, both in elevating the everyday work experience and enabling innovation. Our commitment to DEI is embedded in our strategic goals, as well as in everyday life at the Laboratory through our numerous clubs, groups, teams, and programs.

We are proud of the advances we continue to make toward our vision of being a model organization for DEI. The path to achieving that begins with appreciating the unique and talented people we have the privilege of working with every day.