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Hidden figures in ecology and evolution

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 4, page 1282 (2020)Cite this article

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To the Editor — Equity efforts consistently disregard the perspectives, contributions and accomplishments of Black women. Habitually, Black women’s accomplishments are marginalized in favour of white and/or male agendas. This societal disregard dates back to the women’s rights movement, includes the civil rights movement and is present in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) equity interventions. For example, Harriet Tubman is broadly recognized for contributions to the abolition of slavery, but her contributions to women’s rights, her importance as a feminist and her contributions to anti-racism are under-acknowledged1. Similarly, the vision and activities of Black men dominate presentations of the civil rights movement while the contributions of Black women are frequently portrayed as symbolic2. To date, STEM diversity initiatives have been successful in promoting inclusion for white women at the expense of scholars of colour3, and especially Black women3,4. To do the work of justice and equity in ecology and evolution (EE) and beyond, particularly to ensure women of colour are not ignored, we need to adopt attitudes of feminist scientists and scholars who view the world with a more intersectional lens. Too often, Black women are forcibly presented with the choice to acknowledge gender or racial identities, diminishing the power and innovation resultant from integration with detriment to inclusivity.

If we are to be successful in decolonizing racial, structural biases in EE, we must combat barriers to the success of Black women and be intentional to include and promote their contributions. However, we must challenge the Nature Ecology & Evolution editorial conclusion that “admitting students and recruiting junior researchers and faculty is perhaps where the biggest failing of academic institutions occurs”5. Such a sentiment discounts and ignores the many seasoned and young Black women scholars who possess or are currently pursuing EE degrees or careers. Retention, not recruitment, is the primary issue. Black women declare STEM majors at the same rate6, but are not retained due to inequities stemming from racialized, social hierarchies that privilege their white counterparts7. In all that we do, it is critical to remember and re-state that, “when they [Black women] enter, we all enter”8. Making room for the most marginalized among us makes room for us all. Highlighting the work of women of colour in EE with intersecting underrepresented identities gives greater value to our collective work and increases our capacity to overcome systemic biases in inclusion and equity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Maria N. Miriti

  2. University of Colorado Boulder Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA

    Karen Bailey

  3. School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Samniqueka J. Halsey

  4. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Applied Wildlife Ecology (AWE) Lab, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Nyeema C. Harris

Authors
  1. Maria N. Miriti
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  2. Karen Bailey
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  4. Nyeema C. Harris
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Correspondence to Maria N. Miriti.

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Miriti, M.N., Bailey, K., Halsey, S.J. et al. Hidden figures in ecology and evolution. Nat Ecol Evol 4, 1282 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1270-y

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