As scientists become part of larger teams and take part in broader and more diverse scientific endeavors, they must all become leaders in creating cultures of safety, inclusion, and trust.
The NGEE Arctic team has intentionally and continually developed a culture of safety and inclusion as a foundation for excellent science. NGEE Arctic values promote secure and harassment-free work environments, respect for local culture and knowledge of the environment, and collaboration and open science (Iversen et al., 2020). NGEE Arctic engages with local communities on the radio, in podcasts and seminars, and in person (e.g., the 2023 BARC Science and Culture Fair, hosted by UIC Science). In turn, project Rising Leaders co-lead the US Permafrost Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and participate in the creation of white papers and proposals. We recently discussed the need for intentional cultural development to address unique challenges that span scientific disciplines and institutions at the BER Advisory Committee (BERAC) Fall 2023 Meeting. NGEE Arctic’s culture of safety and inclusion was well received by the Committee and sparked a lively discussion. We also shared our project culture with Dr. Berhe and DOE communication teams when they visited NGEE Arctic study sites near Utqiaġvik and Nome, Alaska. Next steps in our plans to Promote Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) in the Arctic are further developed in the NGEE Arctic Phase 4 Proposal.
Links and Citation:
Conducting safe science at the top of the world
Iversen CM, Abolt C, Bennett KE, Bolton WR, Breen A, Crumley R, Dafflon B, Euskirchen E, Heinz S, Hoffman FM, Holm J, Koven C, Mevenkamp H, Painter S, Rogers A, Romanovsky VE, Salmon VG, Santos F, Sulman BN, Taş N, Thornton M, Thornton P, Velliquette T, Yang D, Wullschleger SD, and the NGEE Arctic Team. 2023. NGEE Arctic Phase 4 Proposal.
Contact and email address: Colleen Iversen (iversencm@ornl.gov), Bob Bolton (boltonwr@ornl.gov)
We have worked to develop a culture of safety and trust in team science, including safety planning, treading lightly in communities where we are privileged to be guests, bringing modelers to the field with us, implementing open and FAIR data policies, and setting clear expectations.
For more information, please contact:
Colleen Iversen
iversencm@ornl.govBob Bolton
wrbolton@alaska.edu