
ORNL’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) vision is to create and foster a safe research and work environment where diversity is essential, equity is inherent, and inclusion is innate.
We believe that committing to our people and building an inclusive culture enables and defines our success as we aspire to lead the world in research and innovation.
Our Diversity Principles
Equitable treatment and
opportunities for all employees
Respect for
individual differences

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals
Committed
leadership
Engaged
workforce
Enriched culture
Future workforce
Equitable workplace
Corporate citizen
Our People
ORNL celebrates the diversity of its employees and their ideas, cultures, and educational backgrounds. Learn more about these individuals and how their work helps distinguish ORNL as a premier research institution and employer.
Key Stats

Workforce Demographics
ORNL began publishing its annual workforce demographic data publicly in 2016. While we are making progress in some areas, like most companies, we are not where we want to be yet. The data below represents our staff as of September 30, 2021, end of our most recent fiscal year. We are proud to have increased the representation of both female and people of color on our senior leadership team to 35% and 30%, respectively. Diversity and inclusion is a never-ending journey, and we will continue to strive forward. Our future of being the premier research organization depends on it, and our challenge of solving big problems depends on it.

Employee Resource Groups
The Laboratory’s employee resource groups (ERGs) are essential in creating awareness and providing feedback to the leadership team on workplace challenges and on workplace sentiment. Our ERGs enlist and empower our employees to help create a community where everyone feels respected and valued, and the groups work individually and together to help create a welcoming environment for more than 5,700 employees.
