Polar science needs diversity

We write in solidarity with our colleagues in the USA and internationally, who are suffering as efforts to increase equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are systematically eroded and destroyed.

It is imperative to defend EDI principles at the national and the international level. Without efforts to diversify polar science, we will lose the best and brightest talent that will enable a swift, strategic and agile response to global environmental challenges.

We as polar scientists are motivated to explore and understand some of the grandest environmental challenges on earth, ranging from climate change, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, sea level rise, ecosystem change, droughts, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, sea ice change, and high mountain and polar hazards. These processes are impacting societies worldwide. Clear sighted future forecasts are needed to adapt to these changes and mitigate against the worst of the impacts.

Solving these grand environmental challenges requires the very best and very brightest minds. Diversity in polar science is critical because differing minds, experiences and opinions brings innovation and originality. Communities with closed minds that exclude or make unwelcome contributors on the basis of any of their personal characteristics will fail to recruit and retain the very best and very brightest.

A community where all are welcome, where scientists are respected and included regardless of gender, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, nationality and disability, is critical if we are to have the imagination, innovation and creativity to solve these crises. Furthermore, unless we as a scientific community reflect the global communities that we serve, we fail to fully understand the impacts and consequences of these grand environmental challenges. However, many of these groups remain underrepresented in polar science, inhibiting our ability for innovative, flexible and original work.

‘Diversity’ is not to blame for the world’s problems. It is part of the solution.

Equality

Equality in polar science means equality of opportunity, regardless of their personal characteristics or background. Equity means that everyone is treated fairly, by removing barriers or opportunities faced by some particular groups in society.

In Polar Science, this can mean fieldwork codes of conduct, protocols for reporting and dealing with harassment and bullying, and understanding the different needs of people based on their personal characteristics. This can involve clothing, toilet facilities, religious facilities, quiet rooms, etc.

Diversity

Diversity in polar science means recognising and valuing people’s different backgrounds, knowledge, skills and experiences.

In Polar Science this can mean outreach events and programmes to engage with underrepresented groups, challenging stereotypes, role modelling and mentoring, and ring-fenced funding, internships and scholarships.

Inclusion

Inclusion in polar science means that the differences between people and groups are seen as a benefit, where people feel comfortable to share their perspectives and differences, and know that their opinions are valued.

Polar science is a global endeavour and relies on international scientific cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty now has 58 national signatories; membership continues to grow. Polar Science should represent the global community since everyone is impacted by changes in the Arctic, Antarctic and high mountain areas.

Inclusion in Polar Science means making all communities feel welcome and valued, whether through initiatives and celebrations such as LGBTQ+ in STEM Day and Polar Pride, Women in Science Day, Day of People with Disabilities, and through guides and training on inclusive behaviours.

We stand by our colleagues

We stand by our global colleagues and remain deeply committed to EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) principles, and to building a scientific community that is diverse, inclusive and equitable as well as original, adaptable and insightful.

Join us in calling for stronger commitments to diversity, to defend EDI protocols and laws, and to strengthen EDI requirements and commitments for future generations.

We stand in solidarity

If you are a polar scientist and you want to join us in standing in solidarity and add your name to this post, email Bethan Davies.

Signed in a personal capacity, and not as representatives of our institutions:

  1. Professor Bethan Davies, Newcastle University
  2. Professor Dan Shugar, University of Calgary
  3. Professor James Lea, Liverpool University
  4. Dr Jeremy Ely, University of Sheffield
  5. Dr Harold Lovell, Portsmouth University
  6. Dr Danni Pearce, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
  7. Professor Alessandro Tagliabue, University of Liverpool
  8. Dr David Rippin, University of York
  9. Dr Tim Lane, Aarhus University
  10. Professor Anson Mackay, UCL (Emeritus)
  11. Dr Lorna Linch, Brighton University
  12. Dr Christopher Darvill, Manchester University
  13. Dr Sam Roberson, British Geological Survey
  14. Steven Gibbons, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute
  15. Professor Nina Kirchner, Director of Tarfala Research Station
  16. Connie Harpur, PhD student, University of Leeds
  17. Professor Ian Brooks, University of Leeds
  18. Professor Michael Bentley, Durham University
  19. Dr. Anna Ruth Halberstadt, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin
  20. Dr Cathy Delaney, Manchester Metropolitan University
  21. Professor Hester Jiskoot, University of Lethbridge
  22. Maraina Miles, PhD candidate, University of Maine
  23. Prof. Jacob Downs, Research Professor, University of Montana
  24. Professor Andrew Sheppard, CPOM / Northumbria University
  25. Professor Rob Bingham, Edinburgh University
  26. Dr Stephen Roberts, Quaternary geoscientist, British Antarctic Survey
  27. Dr Sammie Buzzard, Northumbria University
  28. Professor David Thomas, University of Helsinki
  29. Dr Roger Creel, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  30. Professor Martin Siegert, University of Exeter
  31. Dr Joseph Shea, University of of Northern British Columbia
  32. Holly Wytiahlowsky, PhD Student, Durham University
  33. Dr Jaime Otero, Edinburgh University
  34. Professor Andrew J. Dugmore FRSGS, School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh
  35. Millicent Harding, PhD student, Durham University
  36. Dr Felicity McCormack, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  37. Dr David Small, Durham University
  38. Dr Helen Millman, Exeter University
  39. Amy McElroy, student, Colorado State University
  40. Assoc. Prof Gina Moseley, Rolex Award for Enterprise Laureate, Greenland Expedition Leader, IMAX Ancient Caves, University of Innsbruck
  41. Dr Jenna Sutherland, Leeds Beckett University
  42. Dr Andy Emery, Wessex Archaeology
  43. Dr Ramon Pellitero, National Distance Education University
  44. Dr Geraint Jenkins, Coventry University
  45. Dr James Bradley, CNRS Researcher, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille, France
  46. Dr Liam Taylor, University of Leeds
  47. Dr Owen King, Newcastle University
  48. Dr Huw Griffiths, British Antarctic Survey
  49. Dr Bella Duncan, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
  50. Dr Alison Banwell, University of Colorado Boulder
  51. Dr Robert McNabb, Ulster University
  52. Ethan Carr, PhD Student, University of Colorado Boulder
  53. Kaushal Kumar
  54. Dr Clare Boston, Portsmouth University
  55. Dr Frances Butcher, Sheffield University
  56. Dr Evan Gowan, Kumamoto University
  57. Prof. Elin Darelius, University of Bergen
  58. Prof. Ian Hall, Cardiff University
  59. Dr Angelika Renner, Institute of Marine Research, Norway
  60. Dr Jenny Arthur, Norsk Polar Institute
  61. Dr Alastair Curry, University of Hertfordshire
  62. Derek Teasdale
  63. Professor Daniel le Heron, University of Vienna
  64. Dr Maximillian Van Wyk de Vries, Assistant Professor in Natural Hazards, Departments of Geography & Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge
  65. Dr Fabian Drenkhan, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
  66. Dr. Beatriz Recinos Riva, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
  67. Professor Stewart Jamieson, Durham University
  68. Dr Ethan Lee, Sheffield University
  69. Dr Fabien Maussion, Bristol University
  70. Amy Swiggs, PhD student, Northumbria University
  71. Dr Rosie Archer, Northumbria University
  72. Dr Rebecca McCerery, Northumbria University
  73. Dr Jo Zanker, Northumbria University
  74. Dr Roseanna Mayfield, Nottingham University
  75. Dr Scott J. Davidson, University of Plymouth
  76. Harry Davis, PhD student, The University of Edinburgh
  77. Dr Ronja Reese, Northumbria University
  78. Dr Guy Paxman, Durham University
  79. Clara Nyqvist, PhD Candidate, The University of Edinburgh
  80. Dr Alethea Mountord, Northumbria University
  81. Dr Dan Parker, UCL/PLOS One
  82. Dr Julia Smith Wellner, University of Houston
  83. Dr Miriam Jackson, Eurasia and Nordic Director at ICCINET
  84. Dr Scott Watson, University of Leeds
  85. Dr Jonathan Wille, ETH Zurich
  86. Dr Sam Kelley, University College Dublin
  87. Prof. Mauri Pelto, Nichols College, USA
  88. Dr Mike Prior-Jones, Cardiff University
  89. Dr Becky Sanderson, Newcastle University
  90. Isabelle Wicks, PhD student, Northumbria University
  91. Dr Emma C Smith, University of Leeds
  92. Ryan Ing, PhD student, The University of Edinburgh
  93. Professor Andy Russell, Newcastle University
  94. Dr Rachel Oien, Durham University
  95. Dr Sian Henley, Deputy Head of Global Change Research Institute, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh
  96. Dr. Anders Bjørk, University of Copenhagen
  97. Dr Celeste Labedz, University of Chicago
  98. Rose Leeger, PhD student, CU Boulder
  99. Prof. Chris Jackson, Imperial College
  100. Dr Kristen Cook, Université Grenoble Alpes, EGU Geomorphology Division President
  101. Dr Margaret Jackson, Trinity College Dublin
  102. Dr. Michael MacFerrin, University of Colorado at Boulder
  103. Professor Christina Hulbe, University of Otago, New Zealand
  104. Cory Port, PhD student, Monash University, Australia
  105. Dr Arwyn Edwards, Aberystwyth University
  106. Dr Emma Cooper, Monash University, Australia
  107. Prof. Mark Brandon, Open University
  108. Prof. Liane G. Benning, GFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
  109. Dr Kate Winter, Northumbria University
  110. Dr. Ryan Cassotto, University of Colorado Boulder
  111. Dr Andy Hein, The University of Edinburgh
  112. Dr Ruth Mottram, Danish Research Institute
  113. Dr Max Brils, Northumbria University
  114. Dr Jeremy Bassis, University of Michigan
  115. Joey Schnaubelt, PhD student, University of Connecticut
  116. Andrew Colquhoun, PhD student, Northumbria University
  117. Dr Benjamin Laabs, North Dakota State University
  118. Dr Nico Dewald, British Geological Survey
  119. Dr Christine Batchelor, Newcastle University
  120. Professor Neil Arnold (he/him), Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
  121. Dr Louise Callard, Newcastle University
  122. Dr Rebecca Dell, Cambridge University
  123. Dr Tom Chudley, Durham University
  124. Dr Lindsey Nicholson, Innsbruck University
  125. Dr Chris Stringer, University of Leeds
  126. Thomas Bauska, Royal Society University Research Fellow, British Antarctic Survey
  127. Professor Ian Willis, Cambridge University
  128. Dr. William Colgan, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
  129. Dr. Annika Horlings, University of Colorado Boulder

Further reading

One more time: why diversity leads to better team performance. Forbes

What is DEI and why is it dividing America? CNN (DEI: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion)

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