Why I Support Inclusive Language [Guest Post: Dr. Virginia (Suzy) Young]

This year, AUVSI celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Association’s founding, and we are collectively engaged in reflections on lessons learned in the last 50 years and discussions about what we want our community to be in the next 50.  

As I described in my first AUVSI article after becoming Chair of the Board of Directors last year, my entrance into the world of robotics happened many years ago when the Army asked its research and development laboratories collectively for possible opportunities where robots could offer solutions for major battlefield deficiencies. 

During my role at the time with the Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, working with the Infantry School at Ft. Benning, the industry looked very different than it does today. Even in just the eight years since I first joined the AUVSI Board of Directors, I have witnessed the Association’s tremendous growth and evolution. 

Through these changes, I’ve seen over and over how inclusivity accelerates innovation – and I know many of our members have witnessed similar, positive growth as their own organizations have prioritized inclusivity.  

One of my commitments I made when I took the gavel was to work with our Board and chapters to make changes that benefit our membership. As the leading global trade association for the autonomy, robotics, and automated air, ground, and maritime vehicle industries, this Board of Directors believes we should take a leadership role in promoting gender inclusivity. 

By creating an environment that inspires innovation from all our members and by reaching new segments of our community, we will be better prepared to identify and tackle common challenges, goals, and opportunities in the years to come. 

To that end, at our Strategic Planning Meeting in October 2021, I led the AUVSI Board of Directors in a vote to adopt the term “uncrewed” in place of “unmanned” in the Association’s name. If approved by a vote of the membership, the name of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will change to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). 

The complexity of our industry requires innovation, patience, and determination – and the Board applied these same principals when considering the association’s future. After serious discussions, the Board’s vote was unanimously in favor of both supporting the name change and that 2022 was the right time to do so. 

Since its founding 50 years ago, our Association has rebranding from its original name of the National Association for Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARP-V) – and we can rebrand again in a way that emphasizes our collective strength. 

The adoption of gender-inclusive language does not change the Association’s mission; rather, it strengthens our foundation.

From diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we will continue to come together in a cohesive way to advance our bold vision of an autonomous future in which uncrewed technologies are seamlessly integrated into society and provide lasting public and economic benefits. 

What’s next?  

Learn more about the proposed name change, including voting eligibility and the process that led to this decision in AUVSI’s FAQs.

AUVSI members have received an email with unique credentials to cast ballots, sent by vote@simplyvoting.com with the subject line Vote to Adopt AUVSI Name Change. To make your voice heard, cast your electronic ballot before voting concludes on February 2, 2022.

If you did not receive a ballot, please check your spam folder and reach out to membership@auvsi.org for support and more information.

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Dr. Virginia (Suzy) Young is Chair of the Board of Directors, AUVSI