In the workplace
I aim to create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves. My goal as a mentor is to build individual pathways to success. I especially aim to make my future research group/work group accessible to individuals with disabilities - both visible and invisible. Whether an individual has a neurodiverse condition, is a wheelchair user, is Deaf or hard-of-hearing, is blind or has a visual impairment, lives with sickle cell anemia, experiences frequent migraine headaches or fibromyalgia pain - we are all one when we focus on science. By providing advocacy support and remaining open to different perspectives, we can underpin successful learning and creative problem solving to build scientific career pathways for all individuals. We need human diversity for science to continue to flourish.
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI)
In the field
I partner with indigenous people in my scientific research as much as possible. Working with indigenous people has exposed me to traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and ways of thinking that provide insights into ecology that is not taught in the classroom. As well, sacred belief systems can help us to improve our stewardship of the earth's ecosystems. Uplifting cultural, spiritual, and scientific exchanges is important. With issues such as climate change at the forefront making us consider the survival of our planet, we must listen to not only scientifically-generated data but also TEK --- and act together.
Fieldwork in Meilixueshan mountain range (H. Fair 2009-2018)