Overview
We explored how we move towards sustained equitable and intersectional practice within ecology and related fields. This project was developed and delivered as a joint initiative between the chairs and committees of the British Ecological Society’s seven networks, and the BES’s Equity and Inclusion team.

Our seven networks provide safe spaces for scientists to discuss and tackle the barriers they encounter, providing a community of peer support and mentoring. Many of our members belong to or identify with more than one community. Coming together to talk
about and collaborate on intersectional challenges is a core aspect of how we work together.

Project description
We delivered four free webinars on 3rd March 2025. They included short panel discussions and facilitated discussions in breakout groups. To provide a safe and confidential space, we did not record the webinars. Fifty-six participants attended, from nineteen higher educational institutions and thirteen ecological organisations.
Our topics:
• Rethinking diversity in ecological terms
• Effective allyship and how to do allyship well
• The importance and challenges of intersectionality
• Tackling resistance to EDI progress

A summary of the discussions was shared with a Changemakers workshop on Thursday, 13th March 2025. The participants identified areas where systemic change needs to happen, considered any challenges that may be faced, and developed case studies to illustrate recommendations.

Recognition and Valuing Contributions
We recognise that those who contribute their time and energy to EDI work often do so without funding or formal recognition.
Thanks to the funding from Pride in STEM, we were able to formally acknowledge the contributions of our authors and contributors. Webinar panellists were paid a rate of £35 per hour, in recognition of the time required for preparation and delivery of their talk. A similar rate was given to the report authors, based on their time spent drafting and writing.

The funding also covered travel expenses for workshop attendance so that volunteers did not incur any expenses.

Key outcomes and reflections
The key outcome of this project was the creation of a series of recommendations, which will be shared as written guidance. These were written with the perspectives of different levels of power and influence, i.e. individual, group, and institutional. The writing process was an excellent example of why we need representation in the room. The network chairs and authors found it invaluable to explore shared challenges from different perspectives, where they overlapped, where they conflicted, and to have open conversations across career stages. We found that sometimes, it is far too easy to
get caught up in the issues and problems that impact our own marginalised group, and it is challenging to discuss solutions that do not compromise another aspect of intersectionality. The challenge will remain in identifying effective solutions and ways of
working that remain intersectional.

“I like the positionality integrated into the report, because it helps individuals to see themselves as part of the big picture wearing all their different ‘hats’, rather than turning it into ‘us’ and ‘them’. I hope that will help readers turn reflections into actions in whatever
spheres they have influence, but also not to feel bad about lack of action where they do not yet have influence.” A Professor

A network chair and Early career Post-doctoral Researcher reflected that the networks emerged from this project with stronger collaborative and interpersonal relationships.

Amidst the wider global stage and challenges to EDI, it was encouraging to see people come together with such a strong drive to find solutions. There is still much work to be done in this area, however it is clear from this project that by having people working together on these collective problems, we can find collaborative solutions that benefit everyone in our field.

Connecting with y/our communities and resources

Connecting with y/our communities and resources
VISIO containing outputs of the webinars: Link to Figure 1
Inclusive fieldwork guide: BES-Inclusive-fieldwork-guide.pdf
Links to our network pages:

– ALDER (Advancing LGBTQIA+ Diversity, Equality, and Representation) Network:
Join the ALDER Network
– CASCADE (Community for Activism and SCience-based ADvocacy in Ecology)
CASCADE Network
– EDGE (Equity and Diversity for all Genders in Ecology) Network: Join the EDGE
Network
– ELM (Emerging Leaders and Managers) Network: Elm Network
– ENDEMIC (Ecologists for Neuro-Diversity and Equality’s Movement for Inclusivity
and Change) Network: ENDEMIC sign up
– REED (Racial and Ethnic Equality and Diversity) Network: Join the REED
Network
– SEED (Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity) Network: Join the SEED Network