After reflecting on their own research programs, the article’s authors propose four general principles to guide equitable, inclusive, ethical, and safe practices in field biology: be collaborative, be respectful, be legal, and be safe. This article provides suggestions for action-oriented approaches to make field biology more equitable, with particular attention to how those with greater privilege can contribute.
Creators: Valeria Ramírez-Castañeda, Erin P. Western, Jeffrey Frederick, Rebecca D. Tarvin
A very short, digestible, actionable set of recommendations for improving inclusion of students and colleagues who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
Creators: J. Anadu, H. Ali, C. Jackson
Fieldwork, including work done at sea, is a key component of many geoscientists’ careers. Recent studies have highlighted the pervasive harassment faced by women and LGBTQ+ people during fieldwork. However, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) scientists face obstacles which have not yet been thoroughly examined. The article’s authors fill this gap by sharing their experiences as TGD people. In this work, they provide recommendations for individuals, cruise leaders, and institutions for making seagoing work safer for our communities.
Creators: Kay McMonigal, Natalya Evans, Dani Jones, Jay Brett, Reece C. James, Mar C. Arroyo, A-bel Y. Gong, Elizabeth C. Miller, Colette Kelly, Jule Middleton, Chris Spear, Wil Holmes, Dakota Lane
Field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs) are sentinels of Earth’s climate, providing scientists with the infrastructure to collect data in otherwise inaccessible areas of the globe. Many FSMLs were built around and continue to perpetuate male-dominated institutional ideologies, making it difficult for women, BIPOC, and those with intersecting identities to progress, succeed, and thrive. In a collaborative effort across field ecologists and communication scholars working with women navigating these spaces, this book’s priorities are to: 1) document the gender history of FSMLs; 2) provide a context for the current organizational culture and understand the current communication climate dynamics; 3) explore current barriers to leadership, success, and factors that contribute to positive communication climates in FSMLs, and 4) explore strategies, programs, and interventions for supporting women’s leadership roles, as well as, to develop best practices for policy, resource allocation, and field station design to better support and increase women’s leadership roles in FSMLs.
Creators: Edited by: Victoria Mcdermott,Jennifer M. Gee, and Amy R. May
The article from the Huffington Post’s Highline section discusses incidents of gender harassment, hostility, and violence that have occurred during fieldwork within America’s national parks and forests.
Creators: Kathryn Joyce
A survey of field scientists reveals that experiences of sexual harassment and assault are common, particularly among women trainees who are often targeted by senior team members, while male trainees face harassment from peers. Many respondents were unfamiliar with codes of conduct or reporting mechanisms and were dissatisfied with the outcomes when they did report incidents. The study highlights the need for improved policies on safety and inclusivity, better reporting mechanisms, and effective responses to harassment, with principal investigators playing a key role in shaping fieldwork culture.
Creators: Kathryn B. H. Clancy, Robin G. Nelson, Julienne N. Rutherford, Katie Hinde
