The importance of biodiversity in maintaining functional living systems is a fundamental principle in ecology and conservation. As scientists, we recognize that a diverse ecosystem—filled with interacting elements occupying different niches, performing various ecological functions, and arising from distinct evolutionary legacies—contributes to resilience, reorganization and renewal. ‘Each mammal, bird, plant, fungus, insect, amphibian, reptile, and soil microbe’, as the authors of this book say, ‘has a unique part to play’ (p. 4).
Although we work tirelessly to promote diversity in nature, we often fail to value and cultivate the same diversity in our professional environment. Women in Wildlife Science: Building Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion opens by highlighting the well-established fact that diverse communities, whether ecological or otherwise, are strong, productive and resilient. Research shows that groups with gender, cognitive and cultural diversity excel in problem-solving, creativity and impact. Yet even today, the wildlife profession remains largely homogenous: a field dominated by Western, white, middle-class men, which fails to reflect the diverse community it serves, and which can stagnate from drawing too heavily on a single culture, history and perspective. Despite the passion and prevalence of women and people from marginalized communities entering wildlife science, we are often faced with an unwelcoming, unhealthy and unsafe environment that quickly weeds out those that do not fit the mould.
The authors of this collection represent a wonderfully diverse—yet systemically underrepresented and oppressed—segment of wildlife science. They come from various cultural, economic and racial backgrounds and bring with them a wide variety of lived experiences. Throughout the book, they shed light on the unique barriers faced by marginalized communities within the profession, contextualizing these challenges within broader histories of oppression, conflict, colonialism, racism, ableism, gender discrimination and ageism. They demonstrate how barriers to progression manifest at all career stages and within different institutional settings, ranging from subtle biases and microaggressions to overt discrimination. The intersectional nature of these challenges can compound the difficulties faced by individuals, leading to what is often referred to as a leaky pipeline, whereby many women enter the field but few attain leadership positions or platforms of significant visibility.
However, the book goes beyond merely showcasing these struggles: it offers actionable strategies to bring about systemic change within the wildlife profession. Each chapter highlights the role of community and support, of visibility and mentorship, of sponsors, advocates and allies. By providing specific guidance and exercises, Women in Wildlife Science encourages readers to examine their own biases and rethink their interactions with colleagues, recruitment practices and organizational structures, aiming not just for equality but for equity.
As a woman in the wildlife space, and more specifically one with a particular focus on uplifting and empowering other women in the field, I found this book to be an invaluable resource. The lived experiences of the authors, buttressed by research and statistics, were in equal parts uplifting and hard to digest. I felt pangs as I saw actions of my own supervisors, advisors and colleagues reflected in the stories told by others; I felt connected with this community and grateful for these other women's honesty and vulnerability—I felt that I was not alone. However, I acknowledge my own privileges as a middle-class, white, able-bodied and childless woman who has neither suffered historical traumas nor faced the same aggressions or physical challenges that others endure. This book serves as an important reminder of the responsibility we have as individuals with privilege to educate ourselves and use our power and position to actively create safe and inclusive environments.
Creating such environments requires conscious, collective effort and understanding, time and energy, and a willingness to go beyond box-ticking exercises in diversity/inclusion efforts that fail to address the underlying biases. Women in Wildlife Science offers an excellent starting point—for individuals and organizations alike—from which to begin examining our relationships with marginalized female communities and working together to rebuild our somewhat degraded professional ecosystem to one where we can all flourish, thrive and work together for a better future for nature.
Open access
