POSea 2021

By Jasmin Graham, Safina Center Launchpad Fellow

This weekend (October 1st-3rd), the first (of hopefully many) POSea conference will be held. This conference is a collaboration between Minorities in Shark Sciences, Black in Marine Science, Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science, Latinx in the Marine Sciences, Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science and BIPOC in Ocean Sciences. The purpose of this conference is to amplify the work of BIPOC folks doing work in the fields of marine science, conservation, and policy. Not only will we have scientific presentations from BIPOC folks working in the fields of marine science, conservation, and policy, but we will also provide a platform for folks doing work in the decolonization of marine science, science communication and education with underserved communities and other projects that are often not showcased or valued in “traditional” scientific conference spaces. 

In addition to the presentations, we will have a career panel for those still trying to navigate their way into a career in these fields as well as an outreach workshop to educate attendees on ways to effectively communicate their work and its importance to broad audiences with an emphasis on reaching those communities that are often ignored in science communication and outreach. For all the folks attending the conference that want to learn to be better allies for BIPOC folks in the field and beyond, an Ally Skills workshop is being offered.  We will have several fun networking and social events throughout the conference and close out with an open forum to discuss issues BIPOC scientists face in the field.

To learn more about this conference or to register for the conference, please visit the conference website.