Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Work
Inclusivity and Safety in Field Sciences
In ecology and other fields of biological research involving field-based research in remote or unfamiliar areas, social safety risks pose higher threats to scientists with marginalized identities. This in turn reduces the recruitment and retention of talented scientists of color, LGBTQ+, and disabled scientists (among others).
For the past few years, I have been organizing around field safety and inclusion, with a particular focus on the experiences and support needs of transgender and gender-nonconforming LGBTQ+ students and early career scientists.
I have written about, and organized an presented in symposia about strategies for making field research expeditions safer and more supportive work/learning environments for LGBTQ+ scientists.
In 2022 I founded the Trans and Gender-nonconforming Field Alliance (TGFA), an affinity group dedicated to 1) building community amongst queer field scientists and
2) developing resources for allies to improve LGBTQ+ safety and inclusion in field sciences.
To learn more about the group and our resources for allies, check out the alliance website!
