REFINING THE NARRATIVE FOR DIVERSITY IN FIELD SCIENCES

Numerous fields in the natural sciences engage in the collection of scientific data in a field setting, known as fieldwork, where scientists engage with a natural laboratory and collect data otherwise unobtainable in a traditional laboratory setting. For this reason, fieldwork is a critical component of many STEM and humanities fields. Earth sciences are especially reliant on fieldwork, with many sub-fields relying completely on fieldwork for their research programs. However, fieldwork presents an insurmountable burden for many, which contributes to the current demographic layout of the field, whereby the Earth sciences possess some of the lowest proportions of underrepresented minorities in all STEM fields. These burdens can be physical, financial, or countless others and often biased against the ability to perform fieldwork and ultimately excel as an Earth scientist.

In this panel, we will examine and address the exclusionary barriers in the Earth and field sciences so that all can benefit from learning, professional development, and wonder of the natural world. We will consider statistical evidence from recent and historical scientific literature which point to a lack of diversity in the field sciences, as well as the barriers which prevent many from entering these fields. We will offer cursory solutions to these issues, as well as solutions geared towards long-term systemic change, including mentorship, transparency, equitable access to resources, and cohort-building. The resulting scholarship from this session will then be compiled into a report that can be sent out to leadership in academic departments, federal agencies, and other organizations which conduct extensive field science. We hope that by bringing people together with similar interests in broadening access, increasing diversity, and creating more equity in the field sciences, we can start to build a foundation for the future and share the joy of fieldwork with others.