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Symposium

Session: Unpacking the ecosystem of systemic racism experienced by Black Ecologists

SYMP 8-4 - Challenging the work and workplace in Ecology

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

4:30 PM – 4:50 PM EDT

Location: 520F

Presenting Author(s)

SG

Swanne Gordon, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis, United States

Co-author(s)

NH

Nyeema C. Harris, PhD

Yale University
New Haven, CT, United States
MM

Maria N. Miriti, PhD

Professor of Ecology
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
KB

Karen Bailey, PhD

Asst. Professor
University of Colorado Boulder, United States
SH

Samniqueka Halsey

Assistant Professor
University of Missouri, United States
AH

Alexandra Harmon-Threatt

University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
ZH

Zakiya Holmes-Leggett

Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University
JC

Jasmine Childress

University of California Santa Barbara
GG

Gabriel Gadsden

PhD Graduate Student
Yale University, United States
NK

Nana Kusi

Washington University in St Louis
AM

Alex Moore

University of British Columbia, United States
KW

Kwasi Wrensford

University of California, Berkeley, United States

Background/Question/Methods
Ecology is a complex discipline of great societal relevance with intersections across numerous fields of study that occur at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Much of ecological research points to the importance of increased biodiversity for ecosystem stability and oft times productivity. Yet, as a discipline the people doing this type of research are composed of one of the most homogeneous scholar pools among STEM fields. In this presentation we highlight how embracing diversity in nature can help us inform its importance in academia. We present it from the standpoint of black ecologists and specifically address how we can challenge and better yet improve activities in the workplace, which refers to engagement, training, and research responsibilities, for a more diverse, inclusive, and safe field.

Results/Conclusions