BIPOC and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+, women, carers/caregivers, and scientists with disabilities are underrepresented in biology and conservation, and inequality remains pervasive. Despite conservation being a global socio-political and biological issue, inclusion and diversity are severely lacking. Not only must this change on ethical grounds, but diversity and inclusivity improve science and conservation work. Suitable diversity, inclusion, and role models are important to increase underrepresented and minority group recruitment and retention within scientific and academic disciplines. The Bio-Diverse Festival (BDF) 2020 fills the gap in representation and contributes to the necessary change we are beginning to see within academia and conservation.
BDF aims to highlight minorities within biology and conservation by celebrating the diversity that exists and learning from those who pave the way for future scientists presently lacking representation. This online event opens the conversation about the prevalence of racism, homophobia/transphobia, sexism, and ableism in this field, how they often intersect, and how we can solve them together.
BDF is also proactively anti-racist. It is a scientific conference full of fascinating and topical science that highlights minority and underrepresented scientists in an inclusive, safe, and non-discriminatory environment.
This festival welcomes anyone with an interest or career in biology or conservation.
An online science conference held over one week:
- LIVE keynote talks by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, carers/caregivers, and disabled scientists/conservationists about their research and work
- Pre-recorded talks by minority scientists and conservationists about their research and work
- LIVE Q&A conversations with minority scientists/conservationists about their science and careers
- Bio-Diverse Twitter Conference: a one-day Twitter conference where minority scientists can present their research with the #BDF20TC hashtag, retweeted via The Bio-Diverse Festival Twitter account
- How do we tackle racism in conservation? A panel discussion
- Day in the Life: short vlogs to highlight projects, charities, organisations, and careers
- Workshops/skills sessions for young minority scientists/conservationists, by minority scientists/conservationists
- Fundraising for charities working with, engaging, and supporting underrepresented groups in biology, conservation, and other STEM subjects
Go Here for more information.
Sponsored by the British Ecological Society
Originally published at sustainabilitystudies.nd.edu.