We’re sorry to hear about the difficult experiences you’ve faced. Your perspective highlights key challenges that Indigenous scholars encounter in biology. We deeply appreciate your reflections, and they will help inform ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable scientific community.

You’ve highlighted how biology education can challenge Indigenous ways of knowing, as well as the ongoing impacts of anti-Indigenous racism and erasure. Recognizing these issues is key for fostering a more inclusive and equitable scientific community, and we appreciate your reflections. Thank you 🙏

That’s a powerful observation. Do you think there are particular barriers that make biology especially inaccessible to Indigenous scholars?

💡If you have any suggestions on how SMBE can be more inclusive, you can let us know anonymously via a form on our website www.smbe.org/idea-initiat...

❓ Feel free to ask us any queries you may have!

This is a great opportunity to support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in evolutionary biology.

In 2026 we also have funding for projects in Outreach and Non-Parachute Science (preventing neo-colonial practices in research), to reach both our scientific and non-scientific communities.

Projects may request full or partial support.

Submit your proposal here:
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/1we2_wLfq8I4nMxxvWuU-CYlEMhYCcop530BuIjmlhFY

ℹ️ What do these categories mean?

💡 IDEA – initiatives that enhance diversity, equity & inclusion in science.
🗣️ Outreach – engaging broader audiences.
🪂 Non-Parachute Science – preventing neocolonial practices in research.

SMBE IDEA fosters projects that challenge systemic racism, sexism, colonialism & exclusion in our community. Past initiatives include training, symposia, workshops & equity data collection — and we’re excited to see new ideas!

Huge thanks to @epifaniaarango.bsky.social and @cegamorim.bsky.social for organising the @smbe-idea.bsky.social symposium at #smbe2025, and all the participants for their thought provoking talks and discussion. Many interesting points raised! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽