Diversity at Evolution 2021
In service to the goals of our three sponsoring societies (ASN, SSB, and SSE), the conference organizers and the Joint Meeting Committee are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our attendees. This commitment starts with our choice of the conference location as we will not schedule conferences in states with laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression at the time we sign contracts with the convention center and hotels. During the conference we strive to schedule social events that focus on inclusivity and networking. Following is a list of events that we plan to offer during Virtual Evolution 2021. If you have ideas for additional events or ways to improve existing ones please contact us.
Story Collider (Thursday, June 24 at 7:00 PM EDT)
The ASN/SSB/SSE are partnering with The Story Collider, a nonprofit that is dedicated to sharing true, personal stories about science. Story Collider works with storytellers from both inside and outside science to develop these stories and share them through their weekly podcast and live shows around the world. Since 2010, The Story Collider has produced 200+ shows and published 350+ episodes which now averages 130,000 monthly listens and has been download over nine million times! At Evolution 2019, Stories from Outside the Distribution featured personal accounts from a diverse group of evolutionary biologists. More information about Story Collider at Evolution 2019 is located here, and you can listen to recordings of the stories here.
The ASN/SSB/SSE are partnering with The Story Collider, a nonprofit that is dedicated to sharing true, personal stories about science. Story Collider works with storytellers from both inside and outside science to develop these stories and share them through their weekly podcast and live shows around the world. Since 2010, The Story Collider has produced 200+ shows and published 350+ episodes which now averages 130,000 monthly listens and has been download over nine million times! At Evolution 2019, Stories from Outside the Distribution featured personal accounts from a diverse group of evolutionary biologists. More information about Story Collider at Evolution 2019 is located here, and you can listen to recordings of the stories here.
LGBTQ+ and allies mixer (Tuesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM EDT)
This event will provide an opportunity to meet up with colleagues who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and otherwise queer, and to discuss LGBTQ+ experiences and representation in evolutionary biology. Allies supporting LGBTQ+ members are welcome to attend.
This event will provide an opportunity to meet up with colleagues who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and otherwise queer, and to discuss LGBTQ+ experiences and representation in evolutionary biology. Allies supporting LGBTQ+ members are welcome to attend.
The John Edmonstone social for scientists of color (Tuesday, June 22 at 2:00 PM EDT)
This event is named after John Edmonstone, who was born into slavery in British Guiana and eventually taught and influenced a young Charles Darwin. Edmonstone's life highlights that people of color have been present--if invisible--in the development of evolutionary biology from the beginning. This social is an opportunity to interact with evolutionary biologists at all stages of their career and training who identify as people of color, and their allies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, discuss their work, share experiences, establish mentor-mentee connections, and build on constructive ways to make evolutionary biology a more inclusive community.
This event is named after John Edmonstone, who was born into slavery in British Guiana and eventually taught and influenced a young Charles Darwin. Edmonstone's life highlights that people of color have been present--if invisible--in the development of evolutionary biology from the beginning. This social is an opportunity to interact with evolutionary biologists at all stages of their career and training who identify as people of color, and their allies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, discuss their work, share experiences, establish mentor-mentee connections, and build on constructive ways to make evolutionary biology a more inclusive community.
Evolutionary biologists with disabilities social (Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 PM EDT)
Interested in meeting fellow evolutionary biologists with disabilities, chronic illness, deaf folks, and interested allies? Want to discuss increasing the inclusion and representation of disabled students and staff in our diverse field? This is a chance to meet informally with others interested in these topics, share experiences of disability in evolutionary biology, and increase inclusion around issues of disability as a community. Anyone at any career stage and level of ability (including allies) is welcome to come join.
We encourage individuals with disabilities to provide us with information that will make your attendance at Evolution 2021 more comfortable. You will have the opportunity to alert us to your needs during registration. Some tips on attending conferences is available here.
Interested in meeting fellow evolutionary biologists with disabilities, chronic illness, deaf folks, and interested allies? Want to discuss increasing the inclusion and representation of disabled students and staff in our diverse field? This is a chance to meet informally with others interested in these topics, share experiences of disability in evolutionary biology, and increase inclusion around issues of disability as a community. Anyone at any career stage and level of ability (including allies) is welcome to come join.
We encourage individuals with disabilities to provide us with information that will make your attendance at Evolution 2021 more comfortable. You will have the opportunity to alert us to your needs during registration. Some tips on attending conferences is available here.
Latinxs in evolution mixer (Friday, June 25 at 12:30 PM EDT)
Join Latinxs in Evolution mixer to get to know other latinxs doing fantastic science in and outside Latin America. We will talk about the perspective of evolutionary biology in Latin America and then will go to smaller breakdown rooms to discuss strategies to strengthen local communities and foster more interactions across organizations from different countries among them and with the SSE, ASN & SSB community.
Join Latinxs in Evolution mixer to get to know other latinxs doing fantastic science in and outside Latin America. We will talk about the perspective of evolutionary biology in Latin America and then will go to smaller breakdown rooms to discuss strategies to strengthen local communities and foster more interactions across organizations from different countries among them and with the SSE, ASN & SSB community.
International Social
The international mixer is an opportunity for members from outside the US to connect, share experiences, and socialize. In this mixer we will have breakout rooms designed for 1) folks that are looking for tips and advice on how to pursue an academic career in the US, 2) folks looking to study evolution internationally (US-based attendees are welcome!), and 3) folks looking to connect with other International evolutionary biologists in and outside the USA. We are looking forward to hearing dozens of different accents!
The international mixer is an opportunity for members from outside the US to connect, share experiences, and socialize. In this mixer we will have breakout rooms designed for 1) folks that are looking for tips and advice on how to pursue an academic career in the US, 2) folks looking to study evolution internationally (US-based attendees are welcome!), and 3) folks looking to connect with other International evolutionary biologists in and outside the USA. We are looking forward to hearing dozens of different accents!
Primarily undergraduate institutions (PUI) mixer (Wednesday, June 23 at 3:30 PM EDT)
An opportunity for evolutionary biologists working at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to meet up with colleagues, and discuss common experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Grab a beverage - come and meet friends, network, and have fun!
An opportunity for evolutionary biologists working at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to meet up with colleagues, and discuss common experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Grab a beverage - come and meet friends, network, and have fun!
Decolonizing Evolution: A conversation about how language barriers affect science
(Thursday, June 17 at 3:00 PM EDT)
English is the lingua franca of science, yet knowledge is multilingual. In this fireside chat, we will address how English language dominance can omit important discoveries made in other languages and will offer a set of strategies to make science a more equitable enterprise. We encourage both native English speakers and non-native Enlgish speakers to join us to raise awareness about language barriers in science.
(Thursday, June 17 at 3:00 PM EDT)
English is the lingua franca of science, yet knowledge is multilingual. In this fireside chat, we will address how English language dominance can omit important discoveries made in other languages and will offer a set of strategies to make science a more equitable enterprise. We encourage both native English speakers and non-native Enlgish speakers to join us to raise awareness about language barriers in science.