Dear fellow SMMers,
Watching this discussion unfold, I feel compelled to contribute. While I cannot
help but support the open and honest exchange of ideas and philosophies, I find
myself wholeheartedly agreeing with Phil Clapham. As someone who has both
benefited tremendously from being
Dear MARMAM community -
We are glad that a long overdue discussion has been initiated about the
prevalence and effect of unpaid positions in marine mammal science.
Clearly, this is a complex and challenging issue that will require input
from people from a variety of backgrounds and career stages
I appreciate Phil Clapham's well-written opinion on unpaid positions, but
in general disagree with his conclusion that they do not represent a
significant barrier to entry to the field. I can offer my own experience as
a similar, yet counter example to Phil's. I am one of those few African
At the risk of becoming unpopular with some good folks, I have to offer a
different perspective on unpaid positions to that given in the letter
posted by Eiren Jacobson on 2nd July, addressed to the leadership of the
Society for Marine Mammalogy. The authors of the letter are of course
correct in
