Kelly Forsythe: A Collection of Personal Experiences by Black Women in Marine Science

Kelly Forsythe is a marine biologist from the Cayman Islands who is currently based in Scotland. As part of the Darwin Initiative team, she helps support conservation projects all over the world. Here we learn about the microaggressions she has faced especially coming from a Caribbean island and her hope for the for black voices and representation in marine science and conservation.

I’m Kelly Forsythe, and I’m originally from the Cayman Islands. I completed my BSc in Marine Biology at the University of Stirling and in 2016 graduated with my MSc in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh. For my MSc research project, I focused on the effectiveness of purpose-built artificial reefs in enhancing parrotfish populations throughout the Caribbean. Currently, I am part of the Darwin Initiative team, am the first point of contact for its sister scheme (The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund) and manage the social media for both of these U.K. Government funds. If you’d like to find out more about the Darwin Initiative and its role in preserving biodiversity, I’ve included a link to our latest newsletter here. Before my current position, I was a research assistant at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) in Little Cayman, a wildlife officer for ORCA in the Bay of Biscay and a marine ranger in St Abbs, Scotland.

For the moment, I have hung up my scuba gear, and in my current role am providing support to some fantastic conservation projects under the U.K. Government flagship grant fund the Darwin Initiative. It’s sister fund the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. I provide technical support to projects, help them through the application process and with project management and monitoring once everything is up and running. Although I’m not physically in the field, it’s great to be a part of something this significant - one recent example of project success is the designation of the worlds largest MPA in Ascension!

I’m deeply passionate about education and awareness-raising, through my role at CCMI was lucky to combine my love of research and knowledge sharing. I conducted research station tours, hosted the marine lecture series, helped the education programmes and helped outplant Acropora sp from the first-ever coral nursery in the Cayman Islands.  A couple of years back, I was living out at sea on a ferry helping to collect sightings information on cetaceans from the Bay of Biscay to the Celtic Sea. During my time on board, I also gave educational lectures, lead survey teams and even ran a marine mammal quiz night! I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had these experiences and am grateful every day that I chose to persevere and to be a part of such a unique field.

I grew up on a tiny island which 25+ years ago had a population of ~25,000 people. The sea was all we had, but it was everything. Luckily the Cayman Islands was, and still is a very diverse place, so I grew up with people that looked like me, and on an island, thus small lots of people are related in some way. In addition to the locals, there are a plethora of people from various backgrounds and cultures who make the island their home.

Growing up on an island that was only 26 miles long and 2 miles wide, you couldn’t escape the sea if you tried. The sea and trips to the beach were a regular occurrence for me throughout my childhood, but it wasn’t until 6th form (year 12) that I decided to get serious about a career in marine biology. It was after a week spent with the Department of Environment; I did everything from learning how to make rope, deploy marine markers, carry out reef fish surveys and cull lionfish. This was only a week-long placement, but after that, I never looked back.

I knew something had to be done to protect the marine environment of Cayman and decided that instead of waiting for someone else to do it...maybe I should!

As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a diverse place which I am incredibly thankful for, but this isn’t to say that racism isn’t also present there too. In the early days of my career, perhaps I was blissfully ignorant. Still, as my experiences grew, and I travelled more, I noticed that in certain situations, I was being treated differently than my peers, who although primarily female, were also all white. Mostly in the form of microaggressions. I have had people comment on my ability to “speak well”, I’ve had others surprised to hear that I have an MSc or any type of degree. Most recently at a charity fundraising event in Edinburgh where I was the only woman of colour in the room, had a donor come up to me to talk to me about colonialism after learning where I was from, and remark that it’s “still good to be in charge”.

I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with @marinememoirs during my time at CCMI. Honestly, meeting Stephanie was eye opening and inspiring - I’d never met another woman of colour in the field, needless one as talented and passionate as she is! I hope that this isn’t my only experience and would be grateful to have the chance to work with any of the other women you’re highlighting through this series - hit up my DMs!

If anything, I’d say being a woman of colour has made me work harder. Still, I’d also say that it’s fuelled a lot of doubt about my abilities and my future opportunities in conservation and research. Having been (virtually) introduced to some amazing women who have strived despite adversity is empowering and honestly is something that has been seriously missing.

To all those young black girls that are thinking about becoming marine scientists - go for it! These women are proof that despite the odds, you can and will make a difference.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to and educate children of colour, those from impoverished backgrounds and young girls about the marine environment, both back home and elsewhere. Through the Darwin initiative, we are providing opportunities for local organisations and individuals from developing countries who are serious about making a change to their environment and being the stewards that are so desperately needed. Through the fellowship programme, we are helping to offer a chance for these individuals (who may not have had it otherwise) to gain an education in environmental science (BSc and MSc) to help build capacity where it is most needed. I think representation matters more than some people realise. I honestly thought for so many years that I was alone in this fight to make a change for our oceans.

It is imperative that not only the voices from women of colour in marine science and STEM are lifted - but also their hard work and research. I know it’s challenging to get into this field; it’s a challenge and a half and having to pay to gain experience is a significant issue and a massive barrier. We all know too well that to get a job you need experience, but having to pay to gain experience is criminal and not financially viable for many young black potential marine scientists. Having opportunities (scholarships/internships or otherwise) that ensure the inclusion of people of colour should be prioritised. The health of our marine environment requires action now, but this action shouldn’t just result from the voices of those that benefit from privilege, those that can shout the loudest or have the most instagramable platforms.

The ocean belongs to us all, and to save it, black voices, need to matter too.