Resources for Promoting Equity and Inclusion

Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the Aquatic Sciences

(This summary of resources was originally presented in a 2017 blog post.)

As a society of aquatic scientists, ASLO wishes to foster an inclusive community in which success is determined only by oneā€™s scientific curiosity and determination (see theĀ ASLO Code of Professional Conduct). We recognize that field research, a fundamental component of our science, presents unique challenges in cases of sexual misconduct, including the remoteness of many field sites and the potential for the challenging conditions and often informal atmosphere of field work to foster unprofessional behavior. For this reason, ASLO is sponsoring aĀ workshop at the 2017 Aquatic Sciences MeetingĀ to discuss this challenge and engage ASLO members in activities that empower individuals to respond to inappropriate behavior. To further support our members in addressing sexual misconduct, we have assembled resources that can help inform our community about the nature and scope of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior in the scientific profession and equip scientists to respond to incidents of misconduct. We hope the resources below will help ASLO members better understand the role each of us plays in fighting bias, discrimination, harassment, and assault, and take steps in their own life and among their colleagues to foster a diverse, inclusive aquatic science community. We highlight two key resources:

  • AĀ 2014 study by Clancy et al.Ā showing the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault during field research: the authors found that 64% of 666 field researchers surveyed experienced sexual harassment during field work, and 22% experienced sexual assault. The survey found that the perpetrators are most often senior male members of the research team. See also analyses of this study inĀ Scientific AmericanĀ andĀ Insider Higher Education.

The following collection of resources is focused primarily on gender-based bias and harassment, as this topic has generated significant interest in recent years. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, disability status, and other characteristics also exist within the scientific community, present unique challenges, and warrant greater attention. If you wish to share similar resources on these topics, please contactĀ us. Ā Ā What is the problem?Ā The articles and reports below describe various instances of sexual misconduct during field-based research, and actions being taken to address the problem.

How can we promote zero-tolerance for discrimination and harassment?Ā In addition to the Toolik Field Station guide highlighted above, these resources can serve as inspiration and templates for implementing stronger policies at field stations, departments, or other institutions.

What can individual scientists do?Ā Not all of us will be victims or perpetrators of sexual misconduct. But we all have a role to play in making these incidents less likely to occur by refusing to tolerate discriminatory and inappropriate behavior. Check out these videos to learn more about why the "active bystander" approach is valuable and how to become an active bystander.

The Power of the Bystander
Violence Against Women: Itā€™s a Menā€™s Issue

Violence Against Women: Itā€™s a Menā€™s IssueĀ Ā Ā What groups are out there for women and underrepresented groups in aquatic science?

  • Earth Science Womenā€™s Network: a non-profit organization dedicated to career development, peer mentoring and community building for women by women in the geosciences.
  • Society for Women in Marine Science: a community of marine researchers who acknowledge and address the difficulties facing women and minorities in the marine sciences.
  • Geoscience Alliance: a national alliance of individuals committed to broadening participation of Native Americans in the geosciences.
  • International Association for Geoscience Diversity: a non-profit organization charged with promoting inclusive instructional practices and research opportunities for underrepresented students with disabilities while raising awareness for improving access and engagement in the geoscience disciplines for students and geoscience practitioners with disabilities.
  • GayGU: a GLBTQ social group that revolves around, but has no official ties to, the American Geophysical Union and AGUā€™s annual Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
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