Diversity in Ocean Science: A Collection of Personal Experiences by Black Women in Marine Science
A Foreword By Stephanie Macdonald
With the help of some inspiring, powerful and brilliant Black women, we have come together to share our stories of being Black women in marine science. I hope our stories and reflections inspire you. For some, this is the first time we have been able to share our experiences so candidly. For others, it is the first time we have been asked. We are making waves in this industry and are working hard to inspire future generations of women of colour in marine conservation.
“You can swim?”
“You can scuba dive?”
“I've never seen a black scuba diver before.”
“How does someone like you end up being a marine biologist?”
“I’m surprised you know so much.”
“Oh wow, so you went to university?”
“You speak well.”
The questions and statements above are microaggressions that have been posed to me during my career. The people who raised those questions may not have had ill intent. However, it is a stark reminder that I am an anomaly in the industry. As a woman of colour, I am well aware of the need for increased diversity in marine science.
I am a marine biologist and conservationist. In September, I will begin a Masters degree at the University of Edinburgh in Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health. I am specialising in engagement and the co-production of knowledge between scientists and the community and in particular, connecting science to policy in an increasingly diverse global economy to address environmental challenges. Recently I have started up a non-profit organisation called The Kaimu Initiative to encourage environmental equity and inspire underrepresented groups to become environmental stewards through the use of social media and visual educational content. I have also been a resident editor for Women in Ocean Science since it's inception.
Over the past few months the recent murders, racial profiling and protests that have occurred in the United States and around the world have had me contemplating on my own experience as a Black woman in marine science and STEM. Through these reflections, I am reminded of not only the racism I have experienced on a day to day basis but the vast lack of diversity in my field of work. Women of colour are rare in STEM, but we are also almost unheard of in marine conservation.
As a tropical marine ecologist, I have spent countless hours surveying the reef and measuring diversity. Biodiversity measures help us to understand the health of an ecosystem. A diverse landscape provides vast environmental services and is indicative of an ecosystem that can recover from environmental challenges. Despite the focus of biodiversity in our work, we lack equity, diversity and inclusion in the workforce. This conversation is long overdue. Increased diversity promotes environmental protection, social justice, and prevents cultural imperialism in conservation. Barriers to inclusion perpetuate low workforce diversity in marine science. There is a problematic assumption that BIPOC communities do not care about the environment offering few role models and mentors of colour to attract future leaders. Many conservation jobs create a financial barrier for minorities and other groups who cannot afford to work unpaid. Additionally, 34% of scientists from ‘developing’ countries have had to forfeit professional opportunities due to visa delays or denial. In contrast, scientists from ‘developed’ countries did not experience the same visa issues.
Since 2016 I have been working in the field as a marine biologist and as a scuba diving instructor. It was during my undergraduate career that the lack of diversity became impossible to go unnoticed. During my dissertation, I was the only woman of colour enrolled at the research centre despite many interns and research assistants passing through the doors during my time there. In the United States, Black or African American students represented only 1.95% of graduates in Earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences. To this day, I can count on one hand how many women of colour I have worked with in person.
A Black woman in STEM will often have a conversation with a group of people about her field of expertise. Yet, it is the white man with no higher education who is asked: “Where did you graduate from?”, even though most of the man’s knowledge came from the Black standing woman next to him. This lack of perception that Black women can be higher educated individuals develops what is known as imposter syndrome and can be detrimental to one’s self-worth.
Not only am I a woman; I am a Black woman. I represent two significantly underrepresented groups. I am aware of the opportunities I have been afforded in life, though I am more aware that my status as a Black woman will tear down those privileges. As someone with an anglocentric name, I cannot begin to describe how many times people have been surprised to see a 5-foot Black woman turn up to the interview. It is exhausting having people surprised by the way you talk, astounded that you have a degree and continuously having to prove you are worthy of all that you have accomplished.
The women in this series are sharing their stories of resilience from a perspective some of you may have never considered. We hope you take the time to reflect and examine how you can help our industry become more diverse and break down the barriers for BIPOC communities. We have made significant progress in gender inequality. It’s time to bridge the diversity gap.
To follow my journey
instagram @marinememoirs @kaimuinitiative
website: Personal Website, The Kaimu Initiative