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，研究人员的社区需要批判性，创造性和创新性思维的人。这些品质不受收入、种族、民族或身体能力的限制;然而，全国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，来自低收入家庭，少数民族和残疾人的人在领导职位中的代表性并不高。这对科学发现的现状以及平等和社会流动的理想都是有害的。 当有前途的年轻科学家和研究人员离开劳动力队伍或在较低的职位上停滞不前时，科学界就会错过潜在的伟大思想和伟大发现。该计划旨在通过消除出席会议的财务障碍来增加东南部生态与进化会议中代表性不足的群体的参与。我们将提供15个奖学金，以消除周末会议期间的注册，旅行，食品和住宿费用。该活动将于2015年3月13日至15日在格鲁吉亚大学举行。这个小型区域会议面向早期职业研究人员，包括本科生和年轻的研究生。参加小型区域会议对于代表性不足群体的年轻研究人员尤为重要。像这样的活动可以增加研究生院和科学事业的兴趣，创造网络和社区建设的机会，以及帮助建立强大的演讲技巧。

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.