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Centuries of exclusion have resulted in a tangible human diversity deficit, where the diversity of oceanographers does not represent the global diversity of people impacted by ocean processes. We present six challenges faced by oceanographers who have one or more marginalized identities: (1) historical practices of conquest, discrimination, and exclusion underpin oceanography’s modern diversity deficit; (2) undervalued and uncompensated labor by oceanographers from underrepresented groups can perpetuate a lack of representation by leading to burnout and attrition; (3) marginalized individuals are often forced to hide parts of their identities (languages, appearances, partners, behaviors) that deviate from outdated expectations of professionalism; (4) oceanography requires trainees to navigate extensive logistical and financial hurdles; (5) individuals from non-Western cultural and religious traditions often conceal their spiritual obligations in attempts to assimilate or avoid forgoing valuable research experiences; and (6) limited planning and transparency in oceanographic fieldwork can threaten the physical and mental safety of marginalized individuals. We highlight how holding multiple, intersecting identities can compound negative impacts on the well-being of marginalized oceanographers. Finally, we recommend solutions that individuals, mentors, professional societies, funding agencies, and institutions should undertake to move toward a more diverse oceanographic community.
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Centering Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Experience, Access, & Safety in Ecological Fieldwork
Synopsis Efforts to make ecological sciences more diverse, equitable, and inclusive require us to identify who is being left out and take action to rectify harmful situations. Recruitment of trainees from underrepresented groups alone is insufficient without ensuring a safe and supportive environment where we can flourish. Fieldwork is a critical component and often a requirement for career advancement in ecological sciences, but for transgender and gender non-conforming (TGnC) individuals, it can be disproportionately harmful. TGnC individuals face barriers and gendered violence before, during, and after fieldwork, and our experiences are often lost in current discussions of underrepresented groups in the field. In this article, I discuss the importance of an intersectional framework that focuses on planning, open communication, and trust, to address both the barriers TGnC trainees’ experience with travel, accommodations, and access to medical care, along with their experiences of perceived and actual violence by colleagues and strangers. Additionally, I propose direct actions that those in power, such as Principal Investigators, field station managers, and mentors, can take to ensure a safe and welcoming fieldwork environment that supports TGnC trainees’ physical, emotional, and professional well-being.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2225652
- PAR ID:
- 10555039
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oxford University Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Integrative And Comparative Biology
- Volume:
- 63
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1540-7063
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 86 to 97
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icad017
