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)
2020 was the year (decade?) that just wouldn't end. ASN, SSB, and SSE are partnering again with The Story Collider to share three true, personal stories about how the many events of 2020 impacted our lives and our science. This special virtual edition of the Story Collider will have no cap on attendance. You can learn more about the Story Collider show "Stories from Outside the Distribution" at Evolution 2019 here, and listen to the recordings of the stories here.
Registration Fee: $5 for students and postdocs, and $10 for faculty.
2020 was the year (decade?) that just wouldn't end. ASN, SSB, and SSE are partnering again with The Story Collider to share three true, personal stories about how the many events of 2020 impacted our lives and our science. This special virtual edition of the Story Collider will have no cap on attendance. You can learn more about the Story Collider show "Stories from Outside the Distribution" at Evolution 2019 here, and listen to the recordings of the stories here.
Registration Fee: $5 for students and postdocs, and $10 for faculty.
LGBTQ+ and allies super-awesome trivia treasure hunt
(Tuesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM EDT)
Join LGBTQ+ and allied biologists for a fun and (maybe) educational online trivia scavenger hunt! Bring your Google Scholar Advanced Search skills and a beverage of your choice.
(Tuesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM EDT)
Join LGBTQ+ and allied biologists for a fun and (maybe) educational online trivia scavenger hunt! Bring your Google Scholar Advanced Search skills and a beverage of your choice.
John Edmonstone coffee social for BIPOC scientists and allies
(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.
(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.
Biologists with disabilities/chronic illness/Deaf biologists and allies mixer
(Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 PM EDT)
This mixer (now in its third year) is a chance to get to know other folks at all career stages living with disabilities/chronic illness/Deaf folks and socialize, share stories, and ask for advice from peers! Allies, as well as folks who do not wish to disclose any personal circumstances are very welcome to join as well. We will have a brief introduction at the start, then go into smaller breakout rooms where we can socialize more easily before rejoining the main room for a brief wrap-up.
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.
(Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 PM EDT)
This mixer (now in its third year) is a chance to get to know other folks at all career stages living with disabilities/chronic illness/Deaf folks and socialize, share stories, and ask for advice from peers! Allies, as well as folks who do not wish to disclose any personal circumstances are very welcome to join as well. We will have a brief introduction at the start, then go into smaller breakout rooms where we can socialize more easily before rejoining the main room for a brief wrap-up.
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. Anyone identifying as Latinx as well as allies are welcome to attend.
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. Anyone identifying as Latinx as well as allies are welcome to attend.
International social (Monday, June 21 at 3:30 PM EDT)
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 and what to do about it
(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.
Undergraduate Students are Welcome to Attend Virtual Evolution 2021!
We are offering special reduced rates of $10 to undergraduate students whether you are a society member or not. During registration, you can request to be assigned a mentor with similar interests who will attend talk sessions with you and help guide you through the live and recorded content, and the discussion/networking sessions. Virtual Evolution 2021 is an ideal venue to meet prospective advisors for your graduate career!
We are offering special reduced rates of $10 to undergraduate students whether you are a society member or not. During registration, you can request to be assigned a mentor with similar interests who will attend talk sessions with you and help guide you through the live and recorded content, and the discussion/networking sessions. Virtual Evolution 2021 is an ideal venue to meet prospective advisors for your graduate career!