Funding awarded to support equality, diversity and inclusion in environmental science

^{Image courtesy of Coasteering/Unsplash}

As part of its commitments to make environmental science more equitable, diverse and inclusive (EDI), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has recently announced funding for 23 short-term projects, each focusing on various aspects of EDI issues across the subject.

Many of these incorporate themes and learning environments of relevance to geography, notably fieldwork, while some have a direct focus on geography. Specific topics range from investigating the causes of diversity issues in student recruitment, to using digital technologies and platforms to improve access for underserved researchers.

Each of the funded projects aims to:

• Tackle specific EDI challenges facing environmental science disciplines

• Test effective approaches to improve EDI

• Bring together individuals to raise the awareness of opportunities for increasing diversity within the environmental sciences.

The Society is actively supporting a number of these projects and we are delighted to be partners on one led by Dr Naomi Holmes (Sheffield Hallam University) and Professor Nicola Thomas (University of Exeter) entitled ‘Enabling equitable cultures of knowledge and practice in physical geography and environmental sciences’. The project is providing support, across departments and career stages, to embed decolonial and EDI measures into practices of knowledge production and departmental cultures. It aims to promote pedagogical tools and resources to help support inclusive and decolonial practices.

We look forward to sharing the insights, resources, and recommendations for action that emerge from the project later this year.

Find out more