Break the Green Ceiling

  

For much of history, scientific exploration was a colonial and extractive enterprise, conducted by a homogenous elite. While diversity in science is improving, a “green ceiling” remains. In natural ecosystems, we celebrate biodiversity as essential – yet scientific spaces still lag in espousing the diversity of people, backgrounds, and ways of knowing that are essential to tackling our present challenges. Time is of the essence. We must support a new generation of explorers by breaking the green ceiling and dismantling the barriers that have excluded marginalized groups from the sciences for too long. 

  

How? We can take a lesson from forests. Beneath trees across the globe, a network of fungi extends into the soil, connecting trees to exchange resources and respond to stress together. When a legacy tree remains after a disturbance, young seedlings grow bigger and stronger by tapping into the network of their predecessor. With formal DEI efforts currently under attack, informal networks – mentorship, mutual support, and community – are more important than ever. Whether you are a ‘legacy tree’ or a ‘seedling’ – use your network and connections to uplift others. Let’s break the green ceiling, empower the next generation of diverse scientists, and change the face of science itself.