The influential role scientific societies play in advancing the field: An aquatic sciences case study

Early-career researchers (ECRs) are at the forefront of aquatic sciences discoveries. But how can scientific societies support their invaluable advancements in the field?

To answer this question, in February 2023, Fisheries Management and Conservation Careers in Science and Technology (FishCAST) held its second annual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity workshop at the inaugural Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences conference in Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal. FishCAST is part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC-CREATE) graduate training program in Canadian freshwater fisheries management and conservation.

The workshop began with “Reflections and Looking Forward,” a panel hosted by Albana Berberi, a FishCAST trainee and Carleton University PhD Candidate. Panelists consisted of ECRs from academia, NGOs, government agencies, First Nations, and private industries. Through a series of guided questions, panelists shared their experiences as ECRs, discussing the challenges faced by those entering the field, and offering insights and guidance for the next generation of aquatic science practitioners. From this discussion, FishCAST identified ways in which we as scientific societies can support ECRs. Five main themes emerged:

1. The importance of networking and collaboration in the aquatic sciences.
2. The need to address inclusivity and systemic barriers within the discipline.
3. The need for easy access to career guidance, advice, and resources.
4. The need to address mental, physical health, and burn-out.
5. The importance of elevating Indigeneity and multiple ways of knowing and practicing.

Networking and collaboration

In the fisheries and aquatic sciences, consultation projects require collaboration among engineers, technicians, contractors, and individuals from government bodies, universities, and permitting agencies. Partnerships are most successful when all parties consider values and practices outside of traditional fisheries work to create new research approaches. Learning how to work cohesively with various organizations can be challenging, but it is a skill that can only be improved through doing.

The discussion underscored the importance of networking and team building skills in the aquatic sciences. This is an area in which scientific societies can support ECRs by providing them with opportunities to connect with others in the field and share knowledge and experiences. Additionally, many ECRs are passionate about science communication, both through social media and in-person, and several expressed the value of collaboration through science outreach with youth; this is an area of outreach societies may want to explore. Societies can also provide guides to resources applicable to their discipline and opportunities to link ECRs with potential mentors in the field.

FishCAST’s “Reflections and Looking Forward” panel at the inaugural Society of Canadian Aquatic Science conference in Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal. Pictured left to right: Panelists Claire Farrell, Hillary Ward, Jessica Reid, Jennifer Powell, Christina Semeniuk, Ryan Lauzan, and host Albana Berberi. Not pictured: Panelists Courtney Beneteau and Julie Hinderer.

Inclusivity and systemic barriers

Among ECRs, a body of scientists is emerging for whom science is about achieving environmental and social justice. These inspiring practitioners consider themselves people first and scientists second, and their values inform both their research and science communication efforts. ECRs embrace multiple knowledge systems and are dedicated to sharing them with others both within and outside of their communities.

Many ECRs noted that, while binary gender parity is slowly being reached in some sectors, changes in representation should be shared by our racialized, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQ+ colleagues, too. There are also a vast number of systemic barriers to conducting effective research, from not finding field-gear to fit diverse body types, to being marginalized if one didn’t grow up with the privilege of a fishing or boating background, to the political climate silencing scientists. Scientists with disabilities and chronic illnesses can and do hard field work, and these researchers need support and access to facilities. Immigrants to Canada often find it difficult to find employment in the aquatic and fisheries fields, as their experiences are not valued as highly as those educated in Canada.

The panelists also expressed that the timelines imposed by government funding agencies present a barrier to community-engaged research, as they do not take into account the time it takes to foster meaningful relationships and trust with communities and Nations. Researchers are often required to produce deliverables within a timeframe that is not conducive to the building of sustainable, productive relationships.

Many ECRs are heavily engaged in activism and mentorship, which are almost always performed in addition to standard research and teaching duties. It is important that societies recognize the extra work these endeavors entail and do what they can to aid these initiatives and support ECRs. Scientific societies hold a position of privilege and influence within their fields, and should become allies, sharing the burden of change in this area. This can start by societies holding regular town hall meetings where members can bring awareness to, and brainstorm together, actionable changes needed within in the society.

Careers

Aquatic science careers are always evolving: through changes in legislation (like the Fisheries Act) that affect project design and protection measures for fish; through changing attitudes in fisheries science regarding how fish are valued (from consumption to protection); and through changes in organization budgets dictating job availability and security.

The ECRs on the panel expressed that there were many skills they wished they had possessed before beginning their careers, including science communication, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, research administration and accounting, and specialized field skills (e.g., wilderness first aid, boating experience). Panelists also noted that important soft skills, like collaborative problem-solving, communication, reliability, and trustworthiness are often overlooked. Scientific societies can support ECRs by offering workshops or other opportunities to develop critical career skills not provided by standard education. Where this is not possible, societies can facilitate the exchange of knowledge among researchers through networking events, which provide ECRs with the opportunity to seek help and build mentorship connections.

Networking opportunities or career panel discussions also provide ECRs with the opportunity to learn about possible aquatic science careers and organizations from current employees, and to learn from the career journeys of other practitioners.

Mental and physical health and burnout

Work in the aquatic sciences often involves balancing multiple commitments: student coursework, research, field work, teaching responsibilities, and mentorship. It’s therefore critical to balance work with mental and physical health to avoid burnout. While setting boundaries and seeking the support of others can be effective at the individual level, societies also have a role to play.

Supervisors can support good mental and physical health by setting an example of a positive work-life balance and by encouraging employees to take breaks, vacations, sick days, and utilize their health benefits. Scientific societies can foster a community that supports good mental and physical health, by organizing events such as mental health workshops, themed campaigns (e.g., ‘bike to work month’) or fundraisers that support health initiatives. At minimum, societies should raise awareness about mental health issues, including burnout, and provide links to resources.

Indigeneity

As little as 15 years ago, a European approach to science completely dominated the aquatic field, as it was thought this way of knowing was the only pathway to influence policy. More recently, concepts such as bridging and braiding knowledges have revealed a more holistic understanding and characterization of complex ecosystems. This value system has seen a recent, rapid rise amongst diverse resource sectors, but challenges exist in convincing decision makers, publishers, and funding agencies of its validity and merit.

Compounding the issue is a lack of funding for collaborations. For example, many Indigenous groups lack funding for specialized personnel, which leaves staff stretched for time and resources. Scientific societies can help close the funding gap by providing funds to support research and its dissemination, including subsidizing the cost of publishing and of attending conferences for their members.

When working with Indigenous Nations, panelists stressed the importance of identifying the Nations’ research process, including principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP®), which asserts First Nations have control over data collection processes, including how this information can be used. This is an area where societies can offer guidance or actively facilitate collaboration.

ECRs also recognized that collaboration and outreach with Indigenous communities, especially Indigenous youth, is necessary to encourage the next generation of aquatic scientists. Scientific societies can work with Indigenous communities to develop Indigenous-run outreach programs that facilitate collaboration.

The next wave of aquatic science

The response of the ECRs made it clear that events like FishCAST’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity workshop are valuable. Many expressed their desire for future workshops covering topics such as allyship, career development, and community-engaged research.

The results of the FishCAST Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity workshop highlight the major role scientific societies can play in the mentoring and guidance of early-career researchers, and in their potential to make the aquatic-sciences a diverse field welcoming to all.

About the authors

Albana is a PhD Biology candidate and FishCAST trainee at Carleton University in the Social Ecology and Conservation Collaborative and the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Lab. Albana uses an interdisciplinary approach to research human-turtle interactions during freshwater recreation and to recommend evidence-based species protection strategies.

Christina is an Associate Professor at the University of Windsor who uses transdisciplinary approaches to predict organismal responses to environmental change in wild- and hatchery fishes. Dr. Semeniuk is also the Director of FishCAST, an NSERC CREATE funded program aimed at training the next generation of aquatic scientists.

Kendra is the FishCAST Program Coordinate at University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research (GLIER) and is a current Master of Education student at University of Windsor. Kendra provides ongoing administrative support to FishCAST by assisting with key administrative, financial, and outreach operations.

Courtney is a Fisheries Biologist and Freshwater Mussel Specialist with fifteen years of experience consulting on the aquatic ecology component of transportation and water/wastewater infrastructure projects. She has a M.Sc. degree in Environmental Science from the University of Windsor where she studied at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER).

Claire is an Associate Conservation Scientist at Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCSC). Claire completed her BSc and MSc at Carleton University: working with the National Wildlife Research Centre of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Lab.

Hillary graduated with a PhD in Fisheries Ecology and Management from the University of Calgary in 2014 and joined the British Columbia Provincial Government as a Fisheries Stock Assessment Specialist. Hillary now works as the Director of Resource Management for the Ministry of Forests, where she leads an interdisciplinary team of research scientists, and fish and wildlife biologists, and has an adjunct faculty appointment with the University of British Columbia.

Jennifer is a biologist with a varied background which has focused primarily on the aquatic sciences and fisheries over the past 20 years. Jennifer is currently a PhD student and FIshCAST trainee in the Mandrak lab at the University of Toronto Scarborough where she studies the biology and habitat requirements of the poorly understood and endangered Lake Chubsucker.

Jessica is a current Master’s student and FishCAST trainee at Carleton University in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Lab. She is exploring the movements of freshwater fishes in an urban river impacted by various human activities.

Julie is the Science Programs Manager at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in Ann Arbor, MI, USA. She received both a B.S. (Program in the Environment) and M.S. (School of Natural Resources and Environment) at the University of Michigan, studying lower food webs in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Ryan has worked as the fisheries assessment biologist and run the fisheries assessment program at the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation since 2008. His research uses a two-eyed seeing approach to address fishery related questions that arise from discussions with citizens of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Editorial support provided by Rebecca Michaels-Walker, social media and content marketing specialist at Canadian Science Publishing.