Category Archives: Blog

How we selected the ROOT & SHOOT travel awardees

The overarching goal of the NSF RCN project is to change the culture of plant sciences so that barriers to inclusion and a sense of belonging are identified and eliminated. One of our strategies is to build alliances with organizations … Continue reading

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ROOT & SHOOT (NSF RCN) Travel award application for members of SACNAS or MANRRS

Thank you to all who applied, the application period is now closed. We received 42 excellent applications and sadly only have ten to award. We will be in contact with all applicants soon to let them know the status of … Continue reading

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Reflections on NDiSTEM

R&S RCN Blog Post: Reflections on NDiSTEM By Imeña Valdes I was invited by Root & Shoot RCN to attend the National Diversity in STEM Conference (NDiSTEM) organized by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science … Continue reading

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Plan ahead for 2023 plant conferences

The ROOT & SHOOT RCN has a limited number of travel awards to support attendance at conferences hosted by the RCN members. We will share more information about the RCN travel awards soon. In the meantime, have a look at … Continue reading

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ROOT & SHOOT at NDiSTEM2022 (SACNAS 2022)

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 … Continue reading

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Why does identity matter?

One of the goals of the NSF LEAPS (LEAding cultural change through Professional Societies of Biology) is to “use evidence-based practices to remove barriers for individuals historically excluded from science (based on gender, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, … Continue reading

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Inclusive Conferences Working Group

Inclusive Conferences Working Group Background The ROOT & SHOOT RCN has formed a Working Group 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 … Continue reading

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Idea Café Recommendations

Report from ROOT & SHOOT workshop “Equity assessment of ASPB/CSPB activities and processes” held at Plant Biology 2022, Portland, Oregon, July 11, 2022 Professional societies, scientific conferences and journals are intended to serve all in the community equitably, but do … Continue reading

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July 2022 Update

ROOT & SHOOT – OVERVIEW AND PROGRESS TO DATE February 2021 – September 2021 In February 2021, the NSF released a Dear Colleague Letter (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21049/nsf21049.jsp) “LEAding cultural change through Professional Societies (LEAPS) of Biology” with a request for proposals with … Continue reading

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June 2022 – Steering Committee Updates

The ROOT & SHOOT Steering Committee (SC) met on Thurs., June 2, 2022 to get to know one another better, set norms for interacting respectfully, and be comfortable with discomfort in order to do community-driven change together. As pre-work, each … Continue reading

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