Black Ecologists Networking with ESA Journals’ Editors-in-Chief

Black American scholars are severely underrepresented in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), representing < 6% of EEB doctoral degrees in 2021. There are many reasons for this, but a major one is that Black scholars feel excluded and lack a sense of belonging stemming from, in part, fewer same-race role models. The lack of inclusion and having same-race role models often leave Black scholars to navigate the ‘hidden curriculum’ of the academy with inadequate support, with important implications for retention, promotion, and tenure. For example, Black scholars frequently have limited access to journal editors and editors-in-chief, rendering it difficult for Black scholars to acquire information that might lead to higher success in scholarly publishing. Because publications are the academic ‘currency’ judged for funding, promotion, tenure, and notoriety, providing networking opportunities with editors-in-chief of scholarly journals can help fill a critical gap in knowledge for Black scholars in EEB.

In this proposed social event, we will create a networking opportunity between Black ecologists and ESA Journals’ Editors-in-Chief. The event will start with a town hall discussion where audience participants can ask the editors-in-chief about questions they would want the editors to answer. Following the town hall, we propose small breakout discussions where each editor-in-chief will discuss best practices for submitting to their respective journal, the scope of work they published, and hear whatever feedback Black ecologists would want to share. This event will help facilitate the publishing of early to mid-career Black ecologists in ESA journals.

Group Name: The Black Ecologists Section