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Progress, Challenges in Diversity Highlight Opening Plenary Discussion at 2022 Joint Annual Meeting

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Opening Plenary panel

The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia kicked off on Sunday with a panel discussion featuring three Black women scientists sharing their career experiences and perspectives on pursuing equality in scientific professions. Joining virtually was Cassandra G. Extavour, Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Timken professor of organismic and evolutionary biology and of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University, while on stage, left to right, are Swanne Gordon, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis; Maydianne CB Andrade, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at the University of Toronto, and Jessica Ware, Ph.D., associate curator in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, ESA president, and moderator for the panel discussion. (Photo by Scott Brammer Photography for the Entomological Society of America)

The Opening Plenary at the 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia on Sunday invited attendees to learn from a panel of guest speakers discussing “Perspectives on Diversity.” But one important perspective was evident from the start.

“I don’t think when I was a new member in this Society that I ever would have imagined that there would be an opening plenary with three Black women,” said Jessica Ware, Ph.D., ESA president and moderator for the panel discussion.

Ware was joined by Maydianne CB Andrade, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at the University of Toronto; Cassandra G. Extavour, Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Timken professor of organismic and evolutionary biology and of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University; and Swanne Gordon, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis—three accomplished Black women scientists whose experiences reflect both progress made and challenges faced by people from underrepresented groups in scientific fields.

Opening Plenary panel on stage

The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia kicked off on Sunday with a panel discussion featuring three Black women scientists sharing their career experiences and perspectives on pursuing equality in scientific professions. Joining virtually (not pictured) was Cassandra G. Extavour, Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Timken professor of organismic and evolutionary biology and of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University, while on stage, left to right, are Swanne Gordon, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis; Maydianne CB Andrade, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at the University of Toronto, and Jessica Ware, Ph.D., associate curator in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, ESA president, and moderator for the panel discussion. (Photo by Scott Brammer Photography for the Entomological Society of America)

Ware asked the panelists what their paths to success taught them, and each noted that they faced difficulties that pushed too many other aspiring scientists of color out of the field. Gordon described the “myth of exceptionalism, that if you achieve all of these things, then success is right around the corner,” she said. “I think we’ve all learned that there are a lot of obstacles and structural biases, that it doesn’t matter how many of those good things that you do, you’re just not going to get through the door.”

Andrade recounted the critical role that mentors played in her career and emphasized that professional scientists in positions of influence—particularly white men—must learn how to mentor young scientists from backgrounds different from their own. And she.

“People need to have education of how to be a mentor, especially if you’re mentoring someone from an underrepresented group. It can feel fraught, that you can make mistakes, and I know that terrifies people,” she said. But it’s best to acknowledge that difference in backgrounds openly, she added “You can say, ‘I recognize that you my have a different experience than me. I would like to mentor you in a way that’s supportive. Tell me how you think I can help.’ I think you’re more likely to make mistakes if you make assumptions about the person.”

Extavour suggested that one key to not just welcoming but keeping scientists from underrepresented groups in scientific societies and institutions is ensuring they feel their perspectives are valued. And that starts simply with listening.

“Everyone wants to feel like they’re part of the conversation, like their voices matter. They literally want their voices to be heard,” she said. “One concrete thing we can do is when we’re in a meeting with a bunch of people who aren’t exactly like us, pay extra attention and make sure we’re actually registering and actually listening to everything that everyone is saying.”

The discussion explored a variety of additional subjects; for more, be sure to watch the full recording of the Opening Plenary, which will be available in the Joint Annual Meeting On-Demand program beginning November 28. Below are a few additional photos from the plenary and observations from attendees.

Learn More

On-Demand Program, opening November 28

2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia, November 13-16, Vancouver

The Entomology Profession
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