SCB Ombuds
SCB Global is committed to increasing the visibility and accessibility of our resources to support members of the SCB community. Issues like bullying in academia made headlines in 2020, and concerns about the inclusivity and safety of women and the LGBTQIA+ community at professional conferences continue to be raised. SCB takes a strong stance against bullying, harassment, discrimination, and other misconduct within our SCB community. In addition to upholding our Code of Ethics and Meeting and Event Code of Conduct, our society provides support to fellow members affected by behavioral misconduct through the SCB Ombuds.
The SCB Ombuds group is an independent, neutral, and confidential resource for members of SCB who are concerned about the behavior of staff, governors, members, or other functionaries of SCB. The purpose of the Ombuds is to help members express concerns and resolve disputes that could lead to breaches of members’ rights. While the Ombuds has no power to mandate or regulate behavior, we focus on trying to resolve conflicts and providing options and recommendations through a confidential channel without fear of retribution. The Ombuds group is composed of volunteer conservation scientists of multiple backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, gender identities, and sexual orientations to best serve the needs of our exceptionally diverse membership within SCB.
SCB members wishing to contact the SCB Ombuds should send an email to scbombuds@conbio.org describing the issue and any other pertinent information that may help the group identify the best Ombuds to talk with you. If you are unsure that your issue can be addressed via the Ombuds, please still reach out, and we will work with you to ensure your issue is addressed through the appropriate channels. If you would like to speak to a specific Ombuds, you may request them in your email. Members have the opportunity to communicate with the Ombuds via email, virtual meetings, and/or in-person meetings (depending on location). For more information on the role of the SCB Ombuds, please review the terms of reference.
Dr. Blake Alexander Simmons is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center. Trained through the Queensland Human Rights Commission, he also serves as a contact officer for SCB Oceania and is passionate about advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, representation, and safety in the SCB community. He previously served on the ICCB 2019 Equity, Inclusion and Diversity sub-committee. Language: English.
Dr. Inés Arroyo Quiroz works as a full-time Researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (CRIM/UNAM). She researches Green Criminology in the context of the use and conservation of wildlife, with her last project on the dynamics of wildlife trade between Mexico and the European Union. Languages: Spanish, English, French (moderate).
Prof. Li Zhang is a field biologist and a research scientist on China’s eco-compensation policy, wildlife protection legislation, community conservation agreement and wildlife trade related policies. He holds positions with the China Zoological Society, the Animal Ecology Committee of the Ecological Society of China, and the IUCN Species Survival Committee -Asian Elephant Specialist Group. He works for SCB’s Conservation Biology as the handling editor. Languages: Chinese Mandarin, English.
Dr. Marit Doshi currently manages food justice and security projects through the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. In all her paid and volunteer service work, she brings in training and years of experience applying nonviolent communications and equity-oriented facilitation. Since her start as a local Chapter member in 2007, Marit has been committed to SCB by directly supporting its diverse and inspiring members. Languages: English, Spanish (moderate).