Ecology and evolutionary biology must elevate BIPOC scholars

Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) individuals are disproportionately impacted by the negative consequences of our ongoing environmental and climate crises, yet their valuable scientific voices are shockingly underrepresented within the fields of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). As early-career BIPOC EEB researchers, we recognise the key role that our fields play in understanding and mitigating the effects of our ongoing global crises, and are concerned about the lack of diversity we see among our own EEB cohorts and mentors. We present this piece as a call to action for the EEB Academy, drawing on our own experiences and the literature to suggest steps the Academy must take to increase representation of and equity for BIPOC graduate scholars in EEB. We synthesise these steps into four actionable ideas: anti-racism education and practice, increased funding opportunities, integration of diverse cultural perspectives and a community-minded shift in PhDs. Importantly, this advice is specifically directed at those who wield power in the Academy (e.g. funding agencies, societies, institutions, departments and faculty), rather than BIPOC scholars already struggling against inequitable frameworks in EEB.

Automated summary

This article calls for action within the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Academy to increase representation and equity for BIPOC graduate scholars in the field, outlining four actionable ideas: anti-racism education and practice, increased funding opportunities, integration of diverse cultural perspectives, and a community-focused shift in PhD programs. The advice is directed at those in power within the Academy, aiming to address the lack of diversity and underrepresentation of BIPOC individuals in EEB.