We are seeking women and minority ecologists from academia, government, and industry positions to serve on a discussion panel at ESA's 2012 Annual Meeting. The workshop will address the attrition rate of women and minority graduate students in the ecological sciences. (The workshop abstract follows below).
If you are interested in participating in this wonderful opportunity, please contact Caitlin Ryan ([email protected]) with a brief bio by March 31, 2012. Note, there are a limited number of positions available, however, all applications are greatly appreciated. ESA is spearheading a new mentorship initiative during this year, and all applicants will be invited to participate. Thank you! ESA Student Section Women and Minorities Council ---- ABSTRACT Currently 26% of the members of the ESA Student Section are self-declared minorities, and over 60% are women. However, ESA membership as a whole is only 13% minorities and 39% women. This workshop will focus on specific strategies that women and minority ecologists use to succeed in hopes of fostering the retention of these groups. A diverse panel of ecologists from academia, government, and industry will share their experiences as a mentor and strategies they have used to structure their own support networks. Specifically, the panel will share how they have encouraged participation of under-represented students in ecology. The discussion will focus on two themes: Becoming a Mentor/Finding a Mentor: strategies for effective mentoring of women and minorities in your institution, and the importance of identifying a mentor of your own. Keys to Success: strategies for women and minorities navigating the career ladder in academia, industry, and government. The ultimate goal of this workshop is to share strategies for career success and discuss the importance of mentorship for stemming attrition.
