Human Diversity

Chair

• Rhiannon Jakopak (rjakopak@uwyo.edu)

Co-Chair

• John D. Hanson (j.delton.hanson@gmail.com)

Members

History and Mission

The Human Diversity Committee was originally established as the ad hoc Committee on Women and Minority Issues (1992-1996), and underwent a name change to better reflect its goals (ad hoc Committee on Human Diversity in Mammalogy, 1996-1998). In 1998, as an indication of the importance of the committee’s goals to the ASM, it was elevated to a standing committee (first as the Committee on Human Diversity in Mammalogy) and finally attained its current name in 1999. Its mission is to ensure the opportunity for active participation in the ASM by all members, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, age, physical disabilities, or sexual orientation.

Responsibilities

This committee serves the Society by working to encourage and facilitate an increase in the diversity of active participants of the Society by working to reduce any and all barriers to participation, service, and governance (especially those associated with under-represented groups). Accordingly, the committee is examining approaches and efforts to increase diversity within the Society, especially the diversity of the participants in societal activities and functions. This committee also plans and conducts various workshops, symposia, and other activities associated with its mission.

The committee also reminds ASM members that independent ombudspersons are available to mediate or advise on issues regarding inappropriate conduct, discrimination, or other unprofessional behaviors (see Journal of Mammalogy 78:268 [1997]).

Finally, the Human Diversity Committee oversees one award for the ASM, and shares oversight of another award with the Office of the Ombudspersons.

Black and Indigenous Scholars in Mammalogy Award

This award developed through the efforts of leadership in Black Mammalogists Week, which was created in 2020 to raise awareness of the global community of Black mammalogists, to illuminate the historical and present-day contributions of Black mammalogists to the field of Mammalogy, and to provide opportunities for current and aspiring Black mammalogists across the Diaspora to form conscious, fruitful, forward-viewing connections.  The ASM shares with originators of Black Mammalogists Week a vision of a future where young people of all backgrounds will realize that they are not only welcome, but indeed are needed and vital parts of a fully grounded science of mammalogy.  Reflecting our shared desire to realize this goal, ASM and Black Mammalogists Week leadership have worked closely to help promote this vision – to ensure that a future of equality and inclusivity is the only future for us all.

The Black and Indigenous Scholars award is targeted at research and activities related to mammals. There are no thematic limits; research on ecology, behavior, biogeography, genomics, physiology, taxonomy, or any other arena is acceptable. The only taxonomic limit is that this is not intended to support research on humans (although research on how humans impact non-human mammals could be acceptable). The award may be used to support the cost of equipment or supplies; field assistants; travel to/from research sites, museums, or other venues for research or coursework; meeting registration cost and travel to meetings; publishing costs; course or training fees; or per diem, as justified by the applicant. The award may not be used for “pay to play” or other exploitative “volunteer” opportunities. High school-level applicants are invited to apply, but must be asking for funding for a formal course, program, or training related to Mammalogy. See the Awards tab for further information. We anticipate two or more awards of $200-$1,500 each year.

Donate to the Black & Indigenous Scholars award here.

Apply here.

J. Mary Taylor Award

The J. Mary Taylor Award was created in 2020 to recognize a person or group who has strengthened the mammalogy community by promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and multiculturalism in our field.

The J. Mary Taylor Award was developed collaboratively by the Human Diversity Committee and the ASM Office of the Ombudspersons, and honors our first female president, Dr. J. Mary Taylor (President 1982–1984). Mary’s leadership for the Society and the institutions she led exemplifies our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equity within the field of mammalogy. This award recognizes the impact of an individual or a team through contributions that promote and improve the accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, and multiculturalism of our discipline or of our Society.

Mary Taylor (1931–2019) broke barriers throughout her career. She was a consummate mammalogist and deeply committed to both the ASM and to her students, graduate and undergraduate alike. She was noted for her groundbreaking research as a field and museum biologist. Among her positions, she served as Professor of Zoology and Director of the Cowan Vertebrate Museum at the University of British Columbia, Executive Director of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Chairperson of the IUCN Rodent Specialist Committee, and Vice President of the Association of Science Museum Directors. We remember her fondly for her leadership, her “can do” personality, and friendship within the ASM. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was awarded Honorary Membership in 2001. For additional details on Mary’s life and accomplishments see Horner et al. (1996) and Woolley (2021).

Donate to the J. Mary Taylor Award here.

Nominations for the J. Mary Taylor Award can be made here.

History of Human Diversity Committee Activities

• The 2022 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2021 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2020 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2019 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2018 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2017 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2016 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2015 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2014 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee
• The 2013 Annual Report of the Human Diversity Committee

J. Mary Taylor Award

The application period opens 15 January with a submission deadline of 15 March at 11:59 PM (EST). 

Eligibility & Selection Criteria:

• Nominee(s) must be active ASM members in good standing, and must adhere to the ASM Code of Conduct.
• Nominations must come from an ASM member in good standing; self-nominations are acceptable.
• Nominees may be individuals or teams, and may be at any career stage or level of experience.
• Individuals may only receive the award one time.
• Awards will be given only in years when compelling and suitable nominations are available.

Application Requirements:

• Name and contact details of the nominator(s).
• Name and contact details of the nominee(s).
• Nomination Letter: A single letter of support (1-2 pages) including biographical information (name, title, organization) of the person or group being nominated, highlighting how the nominee(s) has strengthened the mammalogy community. The letter must include a description of the nature of impact the person or group has had on inclusivity, diversity, multiculturalism, and equity in the field of mammalogy or the American Society of Mammalogists.
• Biosketch: A brief biosketch or list of activities (maximum 3 pages) for the person/group nominated.
• Optional supplementary material that supports the nominees’ efforts to strengthen the mammalogy community following the objectives of the J Mary Taylor Award: any material (for example: syllabi, webpages, publications, informational documentation, etc.) you believe clarifies the activities of the nominee relevant to this award (maximum 3 pages). 
• The selection committee will be considering factors such as breadth and scale of impact, nominee growth and commitment, timeliness of initiatives, and how the nominee is assessing their impact.

   

To Apply

Submit your nomination here. Nominations are due March 15.

Black and Indigenous Scholars in Mammalogy Award

Scope of Award.

The Black and Indigenous Scholars award is targeted at research and activities related to mammals. There are no thematic limits; research on ecology, behavior, biogeography, genomics, physiology, taxonomy, or any other arena is acceptable. The only taxonomic limit is that this is not intended to support research on humans (although research on how humans impact non-human mammals could be acceptable). The award may be used to support the cost of equipment or supplies; field assistants; travel to/from research sites, museums, or other venues for research or coursework; meeting registration cost and travel to meetings; publishing costs; course or training fees; or per diem, as justified by the applicant. The award may not be used for “pay to play” or other exploitative “volunteer” opportunities. High school-level applicants are invited to apply, but must be asking for funding for a formal course, program, or training related to Mammalogy.

Terms of award.

• Individuals at any level of experience may apply, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, early professionals (within 5 years of terminal degree), and established professionals. To maximize the gains of this award, applications from students and early-career professionals will be given priority over established professionals.
• Applicants need not be affiliated with academic institutions.
• The award may be used to support the cost of equipment or supplies; field assistants; travel to/from research sites, museums, or other venues for research or coursework; meeting registration cost and travel to meetings; publishing costs; course or training fees; or per diem, as justified by the applicant. The award may not be used for “pay to play” or other exploitative “volunteer” opportunities. Applicants in high school must be asking for funding for a course, program, or training related to Mammalogy.
• Applicant will be a current, potential, or aspiring Mammalogist from or residing in North or South America who is Black/African American, African, and/or Indigenous.
• Applications must be oriented around a project that relates to the study of non-human mammals.
• Applicants need not be current members of the American Society of Mammalogists.

Selection criteria.

The review committee will emphasize the quality of efforts and impact of the applicant over more traditional quantitative measures. The following general themes will be emphasized:

1. The applicant will be a scholar from or residing in the Western Hemisphere who is Black/African American, African, and/or Indigenous. 

2. Career status of high school level and above; there is no age limit.

3. Ability to speak to how the award will help the applicant professionally. It is implicit that this will relate to the field of Mammalogy in some way.

4. Ability to speak to how the applicant’s identity has contributed to their career goals, interests, and hopes. 

5. Proposals that have broad impacts and where the funds can go further than the applicant’s specific project.

Application.

In recognition of the innumerable contributions that Black/African American, African, and Indigenous mammalogists have contributed to Mammalogy in the past, present, and future, the American Society of Mammalogists and Black Mammalogists Week are collaborating to offer awards of up to $1500 to support the further development of Mammalogy by Black/African American, African, and Indigenous people.

Application Process

1. Name, email, address, and phone number of the applicant.
2. Application materials shall include:
   1. An itemized budget of proposed activities (including matching funds, if appropriate), ranging from $200 to a maximum of $1,500. Indicate whether you are applying for other funding, and the sources you are applying to.
   2. A supporting statement with responses to each of the questions listed below. Responses should be 100-500 words each. Responses should be compiled into a single document (PDF or Word document acceptable), with 1” margins, single-spaced, and Arial/Times New Roman/Calibri fonts.
      • What are your goals, interests, and hopes for your future career?
      • How will this award help you to achieve your career goals, interests, and hopes?
      • How has being Black/African American, African, and/or Indigenous brought you to where you are now, and how do you see your identities influencing your future career?
      • How do you see this award benefiting you, as well as your colleagues, friends, mentees, discipline, or community?
      • If you receive partial funding from this grant that is lower than your submitted budget, how will you use the partial funding?

3. A reference letter from a professional who can speak to 1) the applicant’s current and future work in Mammalogy, 2) how much the applicant has been pursuing alternative funding sources, and 3) how the funds from this award would benefit the applicant’s lab, department, or discipline more broadly. A reference letter is required, and should be submitted by midnight PST on the day the application is due. 

Deadline.

Awards are solicited twice a year. Spring applications will open on February 1 and close at midnight PST on March 15; award recipients will be notified by April 15.  Autumn applications will open on September 1 and close at midnight PST on October 15; award recipients will be notified by November 15. Any questions about the application process or the award itself can be directed to Rhiannon Jakopak at rjakopak@uwyo.edu.

To Apply

The webform for applications is here and available during periods where we are accepting applications.