Making conferences in the plant sciences more inclusive through community recommendations

Area of Science:

• Plant science
• Ecology
• Evolutionary biology
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Scientific conferences face challenges with inclusivity.
• Unwelcoming environments impede the retention of scientists with marginalized identities.
• Professional societies are key to driving change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of inclusivity guidelines for plant science conferences.
• To assist other conference organizers in creating more inclusive scientific meetings.
• To foster a more equitable environment within the plant sciences community.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration between multiple professional societies in the plant sciences.
• Development of specific inclusivity guidelines.
• Implementation and evaluation of guidelines at 2023 and 2024 conferences.
• Project name: ROOT & SHOOT (Rooting Out Oppression Together and SHaring Our Outcomes Transparently).

Main Results:

• Creation of actionable guidelines for inclusive scientific conferences.
• Successful implementation of strategies in recent plant science meetings.
• Positive initial feedback on enhanced inclusivity measures.
• Foundation laid for broader adoption of best practices.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative efforts can effectively address inclusivity challenges in scientific conferences.
• Implementing clear guidelines is crucial for fostering welcoming environments.
• The ROOT & SHOOT project provides a model for other scientific disciplines seeking to improve inclusivity.
• Continued commitment is necessary for long-term cultural change in science.