SYMP 21-3 - Latin American Scientist Perspectives: The Complexities of Conducting Ecological and Evolutionary Research in the Region

Latin America's extensive biodiversity, species richness, biogeographical regions, and natural history have long served as inspiration for scientific research in ecology and evolution. Despite the region’s valuable contribution to these fields, research done in Latin America comes with many barriers and limitations, especially when performed by Latin American scientists. We surveyed scientists with experiences coming from and working in Latin America to asked them about the perceived perspectives and limitations they face in ecology and evolutionary biology research across this geopolitically diverse region. Scientists from diverse backgrounds and academic experiences identified lack of funding, infrastructure, and political instability as the most important limitations for research in the region. The survey also revealed the importance of making these limitations visible and discussing them openly following intentional solutions that might enhance Latin American scientist experiences in the region. Creating spaces for sharing collaborations, academic career information, skill development, and other activities, among Latin American scientists will help reduce the gap in visibility and limitations faced, especially in comparison to scientists from the Global North. A platform where researchers can interact and share research opportunities, make connections or share knowledge across the region and the world, like the Club Eco-Evo Latinoamérica, is essential for increasing participation, visibility, and knowledge wealth across the region along with long-lasting collaborations, conservations efforts, and sociopolitical policies, among other challenges experienced by the Latin American community.