Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Must Make Room for BIPOC Scholars

Abstract

Research in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) plays a key role in understanding and intervening in our current environmental and climate crisis. Although anthropogenic stressors and climate change continue to disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) individuals, their valuable scientific voices are shockingly underrepresented within EEB. To underscore this problem, we present a case study on EEB PhD graduates in the US (1994-2018), which illustrates that BIPOC scholars are significantly underrepresented in their cohorts. We recommend key steps that the EEB Academy should take to increase representation of BIPOC scholars in EEB, including anti-racism education and practice, increased funding opportunities, integration of diverse cultural perspectives, and a community-minded shift in PhDs. Importantly, this advice is directed at those who wield power in the Academy (e.g., funding agencies, societies, institutions, departments, and faculty), rather than BIPOC scholars already struggling against inequitable frameworks in EEB.

Ecology and evolutionary biology must elevate BIPOC scholars

“…Our Diversity of Nature (DoN) programme (Massey et al 2020) is one example of graduate student-led community work. Here, we lead a yearly, cost-free EEB field camp, as well as year-round in-school workshops targeting local BIPOC secondary students.…”