Diversity and Inclusion

We strive to maintain a diverse, supportive, and inclusive lab. We welcome members regardless of race, disability status, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, or creed. 

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Why? Why do we talk about this? Academia has a problem. The core fields that our work draws from, biogeography, field ecology, political ecology, and geography, all have their roots in colonialism and white supremacy. It is important to recognize that we need to do better as scientists and as members of the Academy. Research suggests that more diverse research groups do better science, and we know that more diverse biological communities are more resilient. I firmly believe that the same holds true for research communities. In this lab, we celebrate the bold, the curious, and the beautiful. Regardless of where you come from, if you are willing to commit to a respectful, intellectually honest, and inclusive work environment, we will be proud to have you in the lab.

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I also recognize that this is a work in progress, and being anti-racist is a verb, not a noun. I serve on ESF's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity committee as well as a similar committee for the Society for Conservation Biology, but I am always looking for new opportunities to learn and do better.

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We are also a family friendly lab. We recognize that in order to do your best science you need to be your whole self. Therefore we are happy to have children at lab meetings, and there are always snacks available (for both students AND their children). Also, we recognize as a lab policy that sometimes taking care of family members is going to need to take a priority. That's fine. We can work around these challenges so that you can give your love and support to those people who are important to your life.

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