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A more representative community of ecologists
Ecological Applications ( IF 5 ) Pub Date : 2021-06-28 , DOI: 10.1002/eap.2353
David S Schimel 1 , Jill S Baron 2
Affiliation  

Ecologists play a crucial role in providing solutions to the challenges facing the world. For most of the history of the field, however, the science of ecology has been pursued by white men, and increasingly, by white women. This lack of diversity is untenable today, not only because it is socially unjust, but also because solving environmental problems requires diversity. Ecology as a science is an extremely rewarding and fun career choice for many, but how can the field recruit a more diverse workforce to do this important and gratifying work? Attracting and retaining future ecologists of color is the focus of this Forum.

How do young people choose a career in ecology and environmental sciences? For many ecologists, environmental scientists and managers, and future natural resource professionals, an early field experience provides a crucial introduction and gateway. A sojourn at a field station, an extended field trip, or field expedition has introduced many of today’s professionals to their fields, but at the same time, a growing literature documents problematic behavior, discrimination, and other forms of harassment that have been far too frequently reported, and little attention has been given to conscious or implicit exclusion of students from diverse backgrounds.

In their lead article, Bowser and Cid, two leading researchers and long-time champions of diversity in ecology, build on experience in long-running programs as well as the literature to diagnose challenges facing diverse youth, and present approaches to encourage, rather than discourage, further engagement. They describe affirmative and creative measures that foster a sense of inclusion and community among young scholars; this sense of belonging and empowerment allows many to advance to studies and careers in ecology and environmental science.

In the subsequent six papers, authors explore topics either responding to, or inspired by, the lead paper. They explore alternatives to a field experience as a gateway to a career in ecology or environmental sciences through, for example, data science or the social sciences. Other comment papers describe challenges faced in the next phases of an academic career, barriers faced by specific cultural groups and the approaches, challenges, and outcomes of programs aiming to increase the diversity of the environmental STEM workforce. All responses sound a clarion call for change to hear and value different voices and perspectives to be heard and valued. These include (1) structural and cultural change to our institutions and reward structures; (2) developing and nurturing personal relationships among students and their mentors, within teams and in internships; (3) making entry to ecology inviting and making advancement in ecology free from systemic barriers; and (4) broadening our vision of ecology, and the ways we learn about the world’s ecosystems.

The Ecological Society of America, the home for Ecological Applications, is committed to the diversity, equity and inclusion needed to tackle environmental challenges in unity (https://www.esa.org/esablog/2020/09/24/time-for-action-esa-initiates-a-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-justice-deij-task-force/). The world needs all available talent and perspectives to meet environmental challenges today. Ecological Applications has long published occasional papers on the profession of ecology and never ones more important or timely than these. The editorial team is proud to provide an outlet for the voices of our field, in all its current, if inadequate, diversity and honored to host the passionate and committed views of our authors.



中文翻译:

更具代表性的生态学家社区

生态学家在为世界面临的挑战提供解决方案方面发挥着至关重要的作用。然而,在该领域的大部分历史中,生态科学一直是白人男性所追求的,白人女性也越来越多。这种缺乏多样性在今天是站不住脚的,不仅因为它在社会上是不公正的,而且因为解决环境问题需要多样性。生态学作为一门科学对许多人来说是一个非常有益和有趣的职业选择,但该领域如何招募更多样化的劳动力来完成这项重要而令人满意的工作?吸引和留住未来的色彩生态学家是本次论坛的重点。

年轻人如何选择生态和环境科学领域的职业?对于许多生态学家、环境科学家和管理人员以及未来的自然资源专业人士来说,早期的实地经验提供了重要的介绍和途径。在实地考察站逗留、长时间的实地考察或实地考察将当今许多专业人士介绍到他们的领域,但与此同时,越来越多的文献记录了问题行为、歧视和其他形式的骚扰,这些问题已经太过分了经常被报道,并且很少关注有意识或隐含地排斥来自不同背景的学生。

在他们的主要文章中,Bowser 和 Cid 这两位领先的研究人员和生态多样性的长期拥护者,基于长期运行的项目的经验以及诊断不同青年面临的挑战的文献,并提出了鼓励而不是劝阻,进一步参与。他们描述了在年轻学者中培养包容感和社区感的积极和创造性的措施;这种归属感和赋权感使许多人能够进入生态学和环境科学领域的研究和职业。

在随后的六篇论文中,作者探索了响应主要论文或受其启发的主题。他们通过例如数据科学或社会科学探索实地经验的替代方案,作为进入生态学或环境科学职业的门户。其他评论文件描述了学术生涯下一阶段面临的挑战、特定文化群体面临的障碍以及旨在增加环境 STEM 劳动力多样性的计划的方法、挑战和成果。所有的回应都吹响了号角,要求改变听到和重视不同的声音和观点,被听到和重视。这些包括(1)我们的机构和奖励结构的结构和文化变化;(2) 发展和培养学生与导师之间的人际关系,在团队和实习中;(三)无系统性壁垒,引入生态,推动生态发展;(4) 拓宽我们的生态视野,以及我们了解世界生态系统的方式。

美国生态学会是生态应用之家,致力于以统一方式应对环境挑战所需的多样性、公平性和包容性 (https://www.esa.org/esablog/2020/09/24/time-for -action-esa-initiates-a-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-justice-deij-task-force/)。当今世界需要所有可用的人才和观点来应对环境挑战。Ecological Applications长期不定期发表有关生态学专业的论文,而且从来没有比这些更重要或更及时的论文。编辑团队很自豪能够为我们这个领域的声音提供一个发泄渠道,无论是当前的,如果不充分的,多样性的,并很荣幸能够容纳我们作者的热情和坚定的观点。

更新日期:2021-09-01
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