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Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Must Make Room for BIPOC Scholars
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  • Melanie Massey,
  • Suchinta Arif,
  • Catalina Albury,
  • Victoria Cluney
Melanie Massey
Dalhousie University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Suchinta Arif
Dalhousie University
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Catalina Albury
Dalhousie University
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Victoria Cluney
Dalhousie University
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Abstract

Research in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) plays a key role in understanding and intervening in our current environmental and climate crisis. Although anthropogenic stressors and climate change continue to disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) individuals, their valuable scientific voices are shockingly underrepresented within EEB. To underscore this problem, we present a case study on EEB PhD graduates in the US (1994-2018), which illustrates that BIPOC scholars are significantly underrepresented in their cohorts. We recommend key steps that the EEB Academy should take to increase representation of BIPOC scholars in EEB, including anti-racism education and practice, increased funding opportunities, integration of diverse cultural perspectives, and a community-minded shift in PhDs. Importantly, this advice is directed at those who wield power in the Academy (e.g., funding agencies, societies, institutions, departments, and faculty), rather than BIPOC scholars already struggling against inequitable frameworks in EEB.
03 Dec 2020Submitted to Ecology Letters
07 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
07 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Jan 20211st Revision Received
08 Jan 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Jan 2021Assigned to Editor
10 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Feb 20212nd Revision Received
09 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
09 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
09 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Accept