Monday, August 6, 2018: 10:15 AM-11:30 AM
238-239, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Organizer:
Tamara J. Zelikova
Co-organizer:
Anjali Kumar
Speakers:
Meghan A. Duffy
and
Yamile Molina
What does it mean to be an ally? The path to being an “ally” to oppressed and marginalized groups is not always clear. How can we, as individuals and as a professional society, become better allies? In this session, representatives from 500 Women Scientists will facilitate a discussion on allyship, identify specific actions we as a professional society can take, and learn how we as members of ESA can be allies to each other across different identities. The session will combine short talks, a panel discussion, and hands-on activities that engage the audience. The speakers will include social scientists and ecologists who will leverage ecological thinking (e.g. multiple predators at multiple levels, complex interactions of multiple factors that influence phenotypic expression) to foster social justice. The panel will also discuss the history of science imperialism and how we can both acknowledge that history and move forward in a more inclusive way. As ecologists, we have the opportunity to push against oppression, starting with oppression in our own scientific communities. That means taking a hard look at how many of us benefit from today’s scientific institutions and how those who benefit can leverage their positions of power to push for equity. This special session will give the audience the tools to be the agents of change within their own labs, departments, and institutions. While we recognize that one session can’t change a community overnight, we believe this session is an important step towards a more inclusive ESA and annual meeting.
