INS 16: Ecological and Social Crises: Adapting Ecological Teaching, Mentoring, and Outreach in the Time of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and Climate Change

Session Organizer(s)

• Aramati Casper

  Colorado State University
  Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Moderator(s)

• Allyson Salisbury

Volunteer(s)

• Sachinthani Karunarathne

  School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia

2020 was initially heralded by some as a year of insight - of “2020 vision.” While the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, and manifestations of climate change were likely not what many had in mind for “2020 vision,” all of these events provide insight into current pressing problems that intersect with ecology across local to global scales. Addressing these issues through our teaching, research, and outreach is part of creating vital connections in ecology, yet doing so is often challenging on many levels, especially when this must be done relying on socially distanced, remote, and online connectivity. In this Inspire session, speakers will share how they navigated mentoring undergraduates in remote ecological research, implemented culturally responsive ecology curriculum, and fostered belonging for historically excluded identities in ecology. Following the speakers, we will move into an open discussion in which attendees can ask questions and share their experiences. We will also create space for brainstorming how to address challenges that attendees and others have faced. During the session, attendees will have the option to join a session-specific mailing list, which will serve as a supportive space to continue this essential conversation.

Presentations:

• ON DEMAND

  Addressing the social justice and human dimensions of ecology through socio-ecological case studies
  

  Presenting Author: Mallory M. Rice – San Francisco State University
• ON DEMAND

  Connecting bipoc marine scientists in a virtual world: Establishing the OCEAN webinar series
  

  Presenting Author: Kelly Luis – University of Massachusetts Boston
• ON DEMAND

  Conscientiously advising an undergraduate sustainability club in a climate of pandemic change
  

  Presenting Author: Kennedy Rubert-Nason – Natural and Behavioral Sciences, University of Maine Fort Kent - Madison
• ON DEMAND

  Creating more inclusive and equitable online laboratory curricula with Biology faculty at San Francisco State University
  

  Presenting Author: Maria Jose Pastor-Infantas – San Francisco State University
• ON DEMAND

  Integrating social justice and the socially situated nature of science into a hybrid online introductory plant biology course
  

  Presenting Author: A.M. Aramati Casper – Colorado State University
• ON DEMAND

  REEFlections Testimonios: Exploring undergraduate experiences in navigating virtual scientific storytelling
  

  Presenting Author: Xochitl Clare – University of California, Santa Barbara
• ON DEMAND

  Same program, different delivery: Running an effective intern program in the virtual era
  

  Presenting Author: Onjalé Scott Price – Woods Hole Partnership Education Program
• ON DEMAND

  Towards more diverse and inclusive student internships: Overcoming roadblocks and paving a path forward
  

  Presenting Author: Silvia Alvarez-Clare – Science and Conservation, The Morton Arboretum