EFFORTS
for diversity, equity, and inclusion
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY: EQUAL OPPORTUNITES SECTION
I am currently the President Elect and past Communications and Outreach Officer of EOS. We work with other AFS sections and divisions to create programming and advocate for a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable professional society. For example, we planned Diversity and Inclusion Day for an AFS Annual Meeting and compiled a report of action items any individual or AFS unit could use to plan future DEI efforts. If you are an AFS member consider joining our section to be part of the change in fisheries!
INTERDEPARTMENTAL GRADUATE PROGRAMS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION COMMITTEE
Kimberly Acevedo and I founded the IDGP DEI Committee after recognizing that some graduate students within our program felt isolated and uncomfortable due to a lack of representation and resources for students from marginalized identities. Our graduate student-led group focuses on three main themes: Affinity & Support, Academic Equity, and Justice & Accountability. We work with program leadership, UMass Amherst administrators, and other DEI/racial justice organizations to advocate for progressive change in our graduate programs and within the university so that all students have the tools and welcoming atmosphere they need to thrive.
UMASS FOR BLACK LIVES CHANGE.ORG PETITION
I coauthored a petition advocating for protection of Black Lives and ensuring Black community member on the UMass Amherst campus. After obtaining >3200 signatures, we met with university administrators, faculty councils, student senates, and unions to push for structural change to incentivize local diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to sustain long-term progress for Black students, staff, and faculty.
Petition here: Link
FISHERIES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PODCAST
I am one of four co-hosts (team: Aaron Bunch, Deon Kerr, and Cassidy Miles) for the Fisheries D&I Podcast, where we discuss topics ranging from equitable fisheries management to understanding the Black Lives Matter movement. I interviewed Dr. Andrea Reid about the "Two-Eyed Seeing" Indigenous framework for approaching fisheries management using both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge, and making space for everyone at the decision-making table. I also talked with my collaborative graduate student team about our transdisciplinary synthesis research project, examining unknown health risks for vulnerable urban marine subsistence fishing communities due to gaps in environmental and urban planning policy (episode coming soon!).
To listen to our podcast or The Fisheries Podcast, check out:
https://fisheriespodcast.podbean.com/
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY DIVERSITY STANDING COMMITTEE
I was invited to sit on the Diversity Standing Committee to work with other members to make recommendations for action items to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the American Fisheries Society. We are currently working on a list of needs and tasks, as well as soliciting feedback from diverse groups.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION DISCUSSION GROUP
I organize a DEI discussion group for my local chapter of the American Fisheries Society. All are welcome and encouraged to join to self-educate and discuss how we can make the fisheries profession more inclusive for people from all backgrounds. Please email me if you would like to join the email list!
STEM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
I collaborated with fellow graduate student Abby Vander Linden to blend our expertise in physiology and functional morphology mentor first-year STEM students from historically underrepresented backgrounds while building toward a research project. We completed a project examining the relative weights of brook trout organs from fish raised in different temperatures.