SS 12 - Myth of the Meritocracy: 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion in Ecology

Monday, August 15, 2022

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT

Location: 513F

Organizer(s)

KS

Kyle Shanebeck

PhD Candidate / Founder
University of Alberta, Canada

Moderator(s)

KS

Kyle Shanebeck

PhD Candidate / Founder
University of Alberta, Canada

Co-organizer(s)

SC

Scott Cocker

PhD Student / Founder
University of Alberta / Scientific QUEERies, United States

Speaker(s)

NK

Nicola Koper

University of Manitoba
E. W. Tekwa

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nicholas Yarmey

Research Associate
Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, University of Lethbridge, Canada
EK

Ezra Kottler

George Washington University, United States

Session Description: As ecologists we understand the integral importance of diversity for natural systems, however we tolerate (or don’t even recognize) the lack of diversity in our own institutions. If we want to address the great changes of our time, we must first address the inequalities amongst ourselves. While significant strides have been made to improve cis male-female gender parity in biological sciences, we still have significant gaps in racial, gender, and sexual minority representation. In this session, our goal is to improve understanding of the barriers that 2SLGBTQ+ professionals face in ecology and discuss actions we can take to increase the equity and inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people in our institutions, which we will do through knowledge sharing and an open forum discussion with a panel of 2SLGBTQ+ ecologists. We will address the current gaps in representation and opportunity, including the specific systemic barriers students and professionals face. Additionally, we will propose/discuss actionable steps institutions can take to bridge these gaps. Diversity is important in our institutions, not only because it is a moral (or politically correct) good, but because minorities bring diverse lived experiences, skills, and perspectives that are unique, especially when it comes to handling hardships, creative problem solving, and succeeding despite the odds.