Category Archives: Blog

ROOT & SHOOT RCN update, August 2023

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 … Continue reading

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Why does identity matter?

Science has a culture that is safe and welcoming to some, but hostile towards others. As scientists and members of the scientific community, we have the ability to change the culture in which we work.

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Developing a system of accountability at plant conferences

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 … Continue reading

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Useful references for talking to scientists about systemic barriers

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 … Continue reading

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How can social media contribute to a more inclusive scientific community?

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: … Continue reading

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Bystander Intervention Workshops

Over the past year, the RCN has focused considerable attention on making our conferences safer and more welcoming spaces. Following the Inclusive Conferences Working Group recommendations, ROOT & SHOOT has partnered with the ADVANCEGeo Partnership to organize a set of bystander … Continue reading

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The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project

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 … Continue reading

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BSA Capstone – Developing a transparent application and award system for publication fee waivers

BSA Capstone – Developing a transparent application and award system for publication fee waivers Briana Gross and Amy McPherson The goal of this project is to develop a standardized application for APC (Article Publication Charges) waivers and a transparent set … Continue reading

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Inclusive Conferences Working Group Update

The ROOT & SHOOT RCN Inclusive Conference Working Group was created to generate an RCN-wide system that develops and implements practices and policies that promote a safe and inclusive conference environment. Acknowledging a history of inequitable practices at such gatherings, … Continue reading

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ASPB Capstone – Cultivating Inclusive Leadership in Professional Societies

Cultivating Inclusive Leadership in Professional Societies Ian Wallace, Crispin Taylor, Gustavo MacIntosh, Mary Williams, Leeann Thornton The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is largely led by a group of volunteers who rotate through short-term leadership positions. The goal of … Continue reading

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