2021 ESA Annual Meeting (August 2 - 6)

INS 10 Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Ground-Breaking Women in Soil Science

8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Session Organizer:
Courtney G. Collins
Moderator:
Michala L. Phillips
Volunteer:
Brianne R. Palmer
Despite the significant progress in improving gender balance in ecology, women remain underrepresented in the fields of soil science, particularly at higher levels (Hampton and Labou 2017). This imbalance is far higher for women of color, with only 7.5% of Ecology PhD recipients since 2000 reported as non-Caucasian (Hampton and Labou 2017). Historical and structural discrimination has decreased the diversity in leadership roles, while also decreasing visibility of the research accomplishments of women and particularly Black, Indigenous, women of color. Further, this lack of diversity limits the diversity of perspectives and has disadvantaged the field of ecology as a whole (Singh 2018). Highlighting the accomplishments of women and historically excluded women is key to not only increasing inclusion and equity in our field, but also advancing the next generation of scientific thought. Here we gather ten soil ecologists from a diversity of identities, career stages, and disciplines to highlight fundamental contributions of women to the field of soil science. Their work addresses a broad range of topics, and encompasses intersections between research and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Speakers will share their research, furthering diverse perspectives and enhanced representation in our field. These speakers are paving the way for more women in the future of soil ecology, while also leading the field with new conceptual, methodological, and theoretical breakthroughs. We couldn’t imagine a better fit for this year’s theme of “Vital Connections in Ecology” as our session highlights the vital connections women are making between science and social justice.
On Demand
Braiding knowledge systems for more resilient reclamation
Lydia Jennings, University of Arizona;
On Demand
From the world of soil microbes, to using science for social justice
Evelyn Valdez-Ward, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine;
On Demand
Learning to speak for the soil
Yamina Pressler, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo;
On Demand
On the depth of soil: Literally and figuratively
Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, University of California, Merced;
On Demand
On Demand
Science trails of a White Latinx into tropical rainforest biogeochemistry
Daniela F. Cusack, PhD, Colorado State University;
On Demand
Science-ing and more
Aditi Sengupta, Biology, California Lutheran University;
On Demand
On Demand
Unraveling the impacts of land-use change on tropical soil microbial communities
Andressa Monteiro Venturini, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture - University of São Paulo;
On Demand
What soil fungi have taught me about diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality
Adriana L. Romero-Olivares, New Mexico State University;