Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC) Diversity Initiative; University of Georgia, March 13-15, 2015

为了进一步的科学发现，研究人员群体需要具有批判性、创造性和创新性思维的人。这些素质不受收入、种族、民族或体能的限制；然而，国家研究人员社区仍然不能代表整个国家。在许多STEM领域，包括生态学和进化论，来自低收入家庭、少数族裔和残疾人的人在领导职位上没有很好的代表性。这既损害了科学发现的状态，也损害了平等和社会流动的理想。当有前途的年轻科学家和研究人员离开劳动力大军或停滞不前在较低的职位时，科学界错过了潜在的伟大思想和伟大发现。该计划旨在通过消除参加东南生态与进化会议的经济障碍，增加未被充分代表的群体的参与。我们将提供15个奖学金，以消除周末会议期间的注册、旅行、食物和住宿费用。该活动将于2015年3月13日至15日在佐治亚大学举行。这个小型地区性会议面向早期职业研究人员，包括本科生和年轻的研究生。对于代表人数不足的群体中的年轻研究人员来说，参加一个小型的地区性会议尤为重要。像这样的活动可以增加人们对研究生院和科学职业的兴趣，创造网络和社区建设的机会，以及帮助建立强大的演讲技能。

In order to further scientific discovery, the community of researchers needs people that think critically, creatively, and innovatively. These qualities are not restricted by income, race, ethnicity, or physical ability; however, the national community of researchers still does not represent the nation as a whole. In many STEM fields, including Ecology and Evolution, people from low income households, racial minorities, and people with disabilities are not well represented in leadership positions. This is harmful both to the state of scientific discovery, and to the ideals of equality and social mobility. When promising young scientists and researchers leave the workforce or stagnate in lower positions, the scientific community misses out on potentially great minds and great discoveries. This program aims to increase the inclusion of underrepresented groups at the Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference by removing financial barriers to attendance.We will provide 15 scholarships in order to eliminate the costs of registration, travel, food, and lodging during the weekend conference. The event will be held at The University of Georgia on 13-15 March 2015. This small regional conference is geared towards early career researchers, including undergraduates and young graduate students. Attending a small regional conference is particularly important for young researchers in underrepresented groups. Events like this can increase interest in graduate school and scientific careers, create networking and community-building opportunities, as well as help build strong presentation skills.