Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee 

Introduction

The goal of the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity committee is to engage a broader community of students and professionals in SCB’s activities, recognizing that today’s complex biodiversity conservation challenges require input and analysis from a variety of voices, vantage points, and expertise from different geographies, backgrounds, disciplines, and dimensions. The diversity committee will lead the Society in realizing its role and potential to become more inclusive and welcoming of diversity broadly, and to foster a shared vision and accepting position for the development of a diverse membership and leadership. 

Committee Members
   

Robyn James, Chair and Liaison to SCB Board of Governers

Gerald Singh, North America Section Representative

Fikty Aprilinayati, Asia Section Representative

Maylis Desrousseaux, Europe Section Representative

Monica Awasthy, Oceana Section Representative

Rachel Skubel, Marine Section Representative

Badru Mugerwa, Africa Section Representative

Tsitsi McPherson, Latin America & Caribbean Section Representative

Joan Dudney, Smith Fellows Representative

Fran Cabada, Member at Large

Susan Bonfield, Member at Large

Alexandra Sutton Lawrence, Member at Large

Jessa Madosky, Member at Large

Maria Carnevale, Member at Large

  
Terms of Reference 

Overall Goal

The goal of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee is to engage a broader community of students and professionals in SCB’s activities, recognizing that today’s complex biodiversity conservation challenges require input and analysis from a variety of voices, vantage points, and expertise from different geographies, backgrounds, disciplines, and dimensions. The diversity committee will lead the Society in realizing its role and potential to become more inclusive and welcoming of diversity broadly, and to foster a shared vision and accepting position for the development of a diverse membership and leadership.

Vision Statement:

The SCB DEIJ Committee envisions a Society that acknowledges that the success of conservation biology is intertwined with and relies on a commitment to greater access, inclusion, and empowerment of humans of many views, vantage points, identities and geographies who actively participate in conservation with equal opportunity and access at all levels of the Society’s structure.

Diversity Definition:

Diversity includes, but is not limited to, characteristics of age, gender, ethnic heritage, race, skin color, geography, nationality, language, culture, field of study/work/research, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion and/or abilities.

Mandate

  • Work with SCB Global Services and Board to identify areas of strategic focus for diversity across SCB;
  • Work with Global Services and Board to develop and maintain SCB policies and practices on diversity and inclusion;
  • Develop activities that broaden diversity and inclusion in SCB, including representation on boards and committees, at Global Services, at SCB meetings, and within the Membership;
  • Work with Membership committee to identify under-represented groups and ways to reach these groups and form equitable partnerships with relevant programs and organizations to improve recruitment, retention, and active participation within the SCB.

Membership

Membership on the committee is open to any member of the Society willing to contribute. Requests for membership will be received and vetted by committee chair(s) to maintain and active but manageable sized committee. The sum total of individuals in the group represents multiple dimensions of diversity across the Society.

Governance Style

Led by a Committee Chair, and decisions made by consensus, with recommendations of the committee to be forwarded for consideration and decision by the SCB Global Network Board and Global Services.  

Meetings and Process

  1. The committee is to meet at least once every 4 months or according to need.
  2. Special meetings will be called on an as-required basis by the chair.
  3. Agendas will be distributed to all members (at least seven days to the meeting)
  4. Members of the committee wishing to have agenda items placed on the table must notify the chairs one week prior to the meeting.
  5. Upon appropriate notice, committee meetings may receive delegates and guests.
  6. Meeting notes will summarize discussions and recommendations, and will be distributed to all members.