The NSF-funded LEAPS: RCN: ROOT & SHOOT (Rooting Out Oppression Together and SHaring Our Outcomes Transparently) aims to transform plant science to become more equitable and inclusive. Part of this mission involves building strong connections with organizations that support people of marginalized identities, particularly members of SACNAS and MANRRS. To Read more…
We’re reaching the end of our second year of this five year NSF BIO-LEAPS-funded award. Here are some of the things we have accomplished in the past year. Inclusive Conferences Working Group Following several community listening sessions, members of the Steering Committee volunteered to lead a Working Group to address Read more…
The ROOT & SHOOT Research Coordination Network (RCN) is a partnership that spans the discipline of plant science, comprising organizations that seek to identify and remove systemic barriers that prevent full inclusion within the discipline. Over the past year, a working group of compensated volunteers was tasked with identifying ways Read more…
Earlier this year, I was invited to talk about the ROOT & SHOOT project to a group of scientists. Although I was thrilled to have this opportunity, I had a few sleepless nights envisioning the possibility of angry outbursts from members of the audience. (I was preparing my talk at Read more…
On July 5, 2023, I participated in a workshop on the topic of social media and scientific communication, hosted by the Global Plant Council at the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. I focused on two topics: how we can make our communications more accessible to all, Read more…
The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project is a 6 week course designed to advance the awareness, self-efficacy, and the ability of faculty, postdocs, and doctoral students to cultivate inclusive STEM learning environments for all their students and to develop themselves as reflective, inclusive practitioners. This is a free, online course (run Read more…
Fantastic opportunity to learn about inclusive STEM teaching through the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project https://www.inclusivestemteaching.org/. This is an NSF-funded course that is available for free for anyone who wants to participate. The free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will be hosted next from October 2 – November 21, 2023 via Read more…
Mark your calendars! The application period for ROOT & SHOOT travel awards to attend 2024 plant meetings will open in September 2023. The program will launch with a panel discussion featuring some of the 2023 travel awardees who will talk about their experiences and answer your questions about the program. Read more…
Studying plants opens the door to a huge range of career possibilities. We’ve highlighted a few plant scientists here, and provide links below to many more people whose work might inspire you. Dr. Patricio Muñoz, Associate Professor, Blueberry Breeding and Genomics, University of Florida. Originally from Chile, Dr. Muñoz received Read more…
NDiSTEM is the National Diversity in STEM Conference, organized the SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science). This year the conference was held from October 27 – 29, 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. To raise awareness of opportunities in plant sciences, and connect with the Read more…