Diversity: Join the SSE Diversity Committee
The SSE Diversity Committee (DC) seeks to add two to four new members to the committee starting in 2023.
The DC works to support members from all backgrounds through several main actions:
- broadening representation to the SSE Executive Council
- pursuing initiatives that support historically excluded groups
- creating an inclusive, accessible environment at the annual Evolution meeting [1] and in evolutionary biology in general
Applicants must be members of SSE (join or renew your membership here [2]) and have attended at least one Evolution meeting [3] in the past. We are especially in search of members who have experience in leading and completing successful projects related to equity and inclusion, even in challenging circumstances. We encourage applications from individuals at all career stages, including those who are grad students, postdocs, pre-tenure faculty, or in secure or post-tenure academic or non-academic positions.
Apply by December 31, 2022 by emailing diversity@evolutionsociety.org [4]. Continue reading for more information.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a brief (1-2 page) statement of interest outlining three items on which applications will be evaluated:
1) their experience with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) service;
2) any ideas, priorities, and/or events they plan to contribute during their 3-year term;
3) the unique elements of their perspective/background that they bring to the committee.
Applications should also confirm:
- career stage and institutional affiliation
- membership in SSE
- past attendance at Evolution meetings
What doe the Diversity Committee do?
Many of the DC’s initiatives are created and operated with the DCs of our sister societies, the American Society of Naturalists (ASN) and the Society for Systematic Biologists (SSB). Given SSE’s commitment to promoting DEI as an ongoing effort, we are open to new initiatives and ideas on how to best serve our members and the broader community.
Examples of past efforts of the SSE DC include:
- Development and administration of a climate survey [5] to assess inclusion and equity in evolutionary biology, in collaboration with ASN and SSB.
- Working closely with a diversity consultant to form SSE’s mission with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to assess the inclusivity of SSE’s policies and practices, and to develop a strategic plan for making SSE more supportive and inclusive moving forward.
- Creation of guidelines on best practices for awards procedures.
Examples of ongoing or future efforts of the SSE DC include:
- Events at the annual Evolution meeting [6], including Story Collider and mixers to build community among LGBTQ+ biologists, biologists with disabilities, biologists of color, biologists at primarily undergraduate-serving institutions, and parents (see more info here [7]).
- Improving accessibility at the Evolution meeting for scientists with disabilities, scientists of marginalized genders, and scientists who are nursing/caretaking.
- Data collection and analysis regarding the demographic composition of SSE.
- Collaborating on major initiatives with SSE Council and the Editor-in-Chief of Evolution to improve access, equity, inclusion, and diversity in our society.
More information about the SSE DC can be found on our web page [8]. Examples of prior initiatives, such as diversity events that were planned for the Evolution 2022 meeting, can be found on the meeting website [9].
Please submit your application by December 31, 2022 to diversity@evolutionsociety.org [10]. Questions may also be directed to this email address.