Diversity in EEB

Like many fields in STEM, the population of people working in evolutionary biology and ecology (EBE) is not representative of the diversity of the general population.

In recent years many people and organizations have been working to quantify the lack of diversity in science, raise awareness of the issue, and improve diversity in EBE. These initiatives are important because improving diversity improves access to science and faster progress toward solving complex problems. To learn more, below are links to just a few of the many studies and initiatives.

Resources at Boston College

BC Biology Department Diversity and Outreach - message from the department along with relevant resources

Gateway Scholars Program for STEM - supports first generation and students of color through foundational courses in STEM

McNair Scholars Program - grad school prep program for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students

STEM and Health Outreach for AHANA (SHOfA) - aims to increase recruitment and academic success of underrepresented students in STEM

Women in Science and Technology - program that brings women from Boston-area high schools to BC for research, lectures, and mentoring

Groups Promoting Diversity in EBE

500 Queer Scientists - visibility campaign for LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM

The BlackAFinSTEM Collective (Instagram and Twitter pages)

Diversify EEB - highlighting ecologists and evolutionary biologists who are women and/or underrepresented minorities

Diversity Science - evidence-based approaches to inclusion in the sciences

Feminist Bird Club - promoting inclusivity in birding for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC, and women

Outdoor Afro - network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature

Project Biodiversify - Tools for promoting diversity and inclusivity in biology classrooms

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

Articles and Commentaries

5 Numbers that Explain Why STEM Diversity Matters to All of Us (via Wired)

African Americans in evolutionary science: where we have been, and what’s next (via Evolution: Education and Outreach)

Black in Nature (via Cell)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Task Force at the Ecological Society of America

Diversity in STEM: What It Is and Why It Matters (via Scientific American)

Diversity: Pride in Science (via Nature)

How can we achieve diversity and inclusion in ecology? (via Ecology and Evolution)

Opinion: Gender Diversity Leads to Better Science (via PNAS)

Urban ecology, evolution, and racism (via The Molecular Ecologist)

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Why are there so few ethnic minorities in ecology and evolutionary biology? Challenges to inclusion and the role of sense of belonging (via Social Psychology of Education)

Women in evolution – highlighting the changing face of evolutionary biology (via Evolutionary Applications)