2022 Biocollections Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholars Program
A unique, funded, and hands-on opportunity for students underrepresented in biodiversity science to participate in natural history collections research
Scholars program:
Participants will earn a stipend of $2,200 over six weeks (May 31 - July 8, 2022) to work with mentors and peers on a collaborative biodiversity research and outreach project using the start-to-finish approach routinely taken by natural history collections scientists. This process will include:
- Conducting field surveys of local plants, insects, and vertebrates
- Preparing and preserving your own specimens in the ASU Natural History Collections
- Publishing your specimen and observation data online, including images
- Creating and linking your own scientific profiles to published data
- Learning and using basic programming and data management skills
- Leading a collaborative project aimed at biodiversity science outreach
Students will contribute to open biodiversity science, providing a valuable resource for future scientists and learn how to formulate specimen-driven research questions. In addition, scholars will explore potential career paths involving botany, entomology, zoology, and biodiversity informatics and network with scientists of diverse backgrounds.
Requirements:
This program is limited to scholars who identify as underrepresented in the biodiversity sciences, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Scholars may be current students or recent graduates (<2 years from ) of any university or community college, but preference will be given to applicants interested in continuing in a biodiversity-related field. Additionally, scholars must be able to commit to attending all program activities, which at minimum includes 20 hours/ week (total of 120 hours) of scheduled work in the ASU Natural History Collections facility and 2 scheduled overnight field trips.
Email kmyule@asu.edu if you have any questions.
Timeline:
Applications are due March 1, 2022. Top applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter regarding an interview, and accepted applicants will be notified in mid-March. The fellowship program will run from May 31, 2022 to July 8, 2022.