Features Editor, Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell
PI, NSF RCN ROOT&SHOOT ASPB Rockville, Maryland
Body of Abstract: ROOT & SHOOT (Rooting Out Oppression Together and Sharing Our Outcomes Transparently) is a five-year, multi-organizational NSF-funded LEAPS (LEAding cultural change through Professional Societies) Research Coordination Network (RCN) that draws together the efforts of seven plant science organizations (APS, ASPB, ASPT, BSA, IS-MPMI, MGC, NAASC) and other partners to facilitate cultural changes in the plant sciences to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Specifically, the RCN aims to use “evidence-based practices to remove barriers for individuals historically excluded from science based on gender, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or race.”
A key activity has been carried out by the Inclusive Conferences Working Group (ICWG). This team, comprising individuals from across career stages and organizational affiliations, has developed a comprehensive set of documents to promote awareness of and adherence to inclusive practices for conference attendees and organizers that will embed inclusivity and reduce harms. Another major activity has been to educate those with decision-making power within each organization about the complex issues that affect individuals’ sense of belonging and desire / ability to persist in plant science through a pan-organizational year-long training program, which culminated in organization-specific pilot programs that address systemic inequities. The RCN also provides funding for student members of SACNAS and MANRRS to attend and network with plant scientists at plant science conferences; curates internship, grant, and award opportunities from across the plant sciences; and compiles a reading list of articles addressing equity in STEM. We are laying the groundwork for further working groups (with stipends) on topics such as how organizations can support LGBTQ+ communities, accessibility in plant science, and culturally-aware mentoring programs. Please join our mailing list (https://rootandshoot.org/) and follow us on Twitter @RootandShootRCN to be informed as these and other opportunities arise.