A socio-ecological imperative for broadening participation in coastal and estuarine research and management

Estuaries and Coasts
By: , and 

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Abstract

For most of the scientific disciplines associated with coastal and estuarine research, workforce representation does not match the demographics of communities we serve, especially for Black, Hispanic or Latino, and Indigenous peoples. This essay provides an overview of this inequity and identifies how a scientific society can catalyze representational, structural, and interactional diversity to achieve greater inclusion. Needed changes go beyond representational diversity and require an intentional commitment to build capacity through inclusivity and community engagement by supporting anti-racist policies and actions. We want to realize a sense of belonging on the part of scientists in society at large and enable research pursuits through a lens of social justice in service of coastal communities. Minimally, this framework offers an avenue for increased recruitment of individuals from more diverse racial and ethnic identities. More broadly, the mechanisms described here aim to create a culture in scientific societies in which social justice, driven by anti-racist actions, produces systemic change in how members of scientific societies approach, discuss, and address issues of inequity. We have written this essay for members of the coastal and marine science community who are interested in change. We aim to call in new voices, allies, and champions to this work.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A socio-ecological imperative for broadening participation in coastal and estuarine research and management
Series title Estuaries and Coasts
DOI 10.1007/s12237-021-00944-z
Volume 45
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 38
Last page 48
Country United States
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