Author: Jonathan Eisen

I am an evolutionary biologist and a Professor at U. C. Davis. (see my lab site here). My research focuses on the origin of novelty (how new processes and functions originate). To study this I focus on sequencing and analyzing genomes of organisms, especially microbes and using phylogenomic analysis

No – #FFS – no – I will not speak at your meeting given the lack of diversity of speakers

So a few days ago I got asked to do a paid speaking engagement for a meeting

Dear Dr. Eisen,


I hope this email finds you well!


We have a client that’s interested in you speaking at their Autoimmune Conference in New York on March 24, 2017. 

Do you have a standard speaking fee/range that I can report back to my client?  If you’re able to confirm your availability as well, that would be great!

The audience would be primarily physicians. 

Your consideration is very much appreciated!

Sincerely,

Sounded nice – getting paid to go to New York.  What could go wrong right?. Then I did some Googling to find out about the meeting.  Found it – the Interdisciplinary Autoimmune Summit: http://joinias.com. And, as I do for all meeting invites these days, I looked at their speaker line up.  For this years and previous years.  And well, I was not impressed.

A lot of men.  Men men men and men. So I wrote back



Apologies for the delay.  Was on the traveling science roadshow for a while.  

My speaker fee depends on whether this is a for profit or non profit event, so I would need more details.  In addition, I usually ask that all speaker fees get donated to my lab rather than paid to me.  

However, I have another requirement for speaking at a meeting.  The meeting has to have a good representation of diversity for other speakers.  Unfortunately, in looking at the 2016 faculty for this conference http://joinias.com/faculty I am distinctly unimpressed.  In a quick glance I count 16 male and 3 female speakers for a ~ 15% female speaker level.  In order to accept speaking at the 2017 meeting I would need to know more about the other speakers.

Sincerely

Jonathan Eisen

I got a rapid response

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you so much for the email, I commend your notions on gender equity!

The summit seems to bring together a lot of knowledgeable and influential people — I will speak with my client and get some additional details for you.

Sincerely,

And then a more detailed one

Hello Jonathan,

They are a for-profit company, HMP Communications Holdings (HMP). HMP is a global hub for healthcare – helping to educate, inform and connect the practitioner community. They do this through the delivery of:
·         High-quality, clinically relevant continuing medical education
·         Credible, cutting-edge content that informs and inspires
·         Live events and online networks that provide practical training and allow professionals to connect with one another

In regards to gender equality, their team are in the early stages of finalizing topics and reaching out to potential speakers for the IAS 2017 meeting, but can assure you that they’re always seeking to secure the best possible speakers and educators for their events, including folks from all demographics.
That being said, they would also be interested in any speaker recommendations you may have since they’re so early in the process and always looking to bring new speakers into the fold each year.
They are happy to address any other details or concerns you have.

Thanks so much!

So I wrote back again

Given the track record of this meeting, I am not sold with statements like “ but can assure you that they’re always seeking to secure the best possible speakers and educators for their events, including folks from all demographics.”  They certainly failed in this “all demographics” regard last year and as far as I can tell in previous years.  

I would only do this if there was evidence of results in increasing the diversity of speakers.

And now the person who invited me is looking into it

Hi Jonathan,

Understood — I will see what we can do.

Sincerely,

So that is where we stand now.  I note.  I am writing this up in part to encourage everyone out there to ask about the diversity of speakers for meetings for which you have been invited to speak or that you would like to attend or sponsor.  Don’t just say “Yes’ without examining the meeting and the track record of the organizers.  We need to take action to stop the underrepresentation of diversity of speakers at meetings.

For other posts on STEM Diversity see here.  See the end of the post for links to articles about how it is possible and why it is important to have reasonable diversity of speakers at meetings.

——–
This is from the “Tree of Life Blog”
of Jonathan Eisen, an evolutionary biologist and Open Access advocate
at the University of California, Davis. For short updates, follow me on Twitter.

——–

Bioinformatics/Genomics teaching position at UCSD

The Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego (www.biology.ucsd.edu) invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor with responsibilities centered on undergraduate education. This appointment can lead to tenure and is comparable to an assistant professorship.

The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be to develop and teach undergraduate lab and lecture courses for Biology majors in the areas of genomics and bioinformatics. The incumbent will also advance science education beyond UCSD through professional activities such as research in science teaching methodologies, participation in writing textbooks and/or creating on-line teaching materials. The incumbent will also support the integration of genomics and bioinformatics into courses taught by other faculty in Biology. We are especially interested in candidates who have created or contributed to programs that aim to increase access and success of underrepresented students and/or faculty in the sciences and/or have well developed plans to accomplish such goals.

All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biology or Computer Science, or a related field, and have substantial experience in the areas of genomics and bioinformatics as evidenced by scholarly achievement in these areas (e.g. publications and/or conference presentations). In addition, the successful candidate is expected to have:

• Significant university-level teaching experience, with demonstrated success at the undergraduate level as co-instructor or sole instructor

• A commitment to equity and inclusion in higher education. Ability to successfully address the educational and academic needs of a diverse student population, including identifying and/or developing effective teaching strategies for the educational advancement of students from groups who are underrepresented in higher education

• Demonstrated ability or potential to serve as a leader in the educational program of the Division of Biological Sciences

Initial review of applications will commence on November 14, 2016 and will continue until position is filled. Applicants must submit (at https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/apply/JPF01232):

• Cover letter summarizing your qualifications and the basis of your interest in the position (one page maximum)

• Curriculum vitae (for publications, abstracts or conference presentations involving bioinformatic analysis to which you contributed, please describe your contribution in 1-3 sentences as an annotation in the publication list)

• A description of 1-3 research problems you addressed using bioinformatics explaining the approaches taken and illustrating the breadth of your experience in bioinformatics (1-2 pages)

• Statement describing prior teaching experience and teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)

• Teaching evaluations if available

• Statement of proposed activities advancing science education beyond UCSD (e.g. education research; 1-2 pages)

• Electronic copies (in PDF format) of up to 3 publications

• Statement describing past experience and leadership in fostering equity and diversity and/or potential to make future contributions. For information on preparing diversity statements and divisional initiatives to promote diversity, see: http://facultyequity.ucsd.edu/Faculty-Applicant-C2D-Info.asp and http://biology.ucsd.edu/diversity/index.html (1-2 pages)

Further details about the required application material can be found at: http://biology.ucsd.edu/jobs/apply-lrf-lsoe.html

UCSD Teaching Prof position 2016-17.docx

At #UCDavis today: Emily Josephs The evolutionary genetics of gene expression in Capsella grandiflora

***** CPB Seminar Reminder for Tuesday, October 11, 2016, 4:10pm in 1022 Life Sciences *****

Speaker: Emily Josephs
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Coop, Maloof & Ross-Ibarra Labs, UC Davis
Title: The evolutionary genetics of gene expression in Capsella grandiflora

At #ucdavis today: Dr. Albert Barberan: From dust to dust: community ecology of airborne microorganisms.

Today we will have a research seminar at 3pm in 2342 Storer by Dr. Albert Barberan, titled: From dust to dust: community ecology of airborne microorganisms.

Albert is a postdoctoral research in Jorge Rodrigues’ lab in the Department of Land Air and Water Resources.

The seminar will begin at 3pm sharp.

Lecturer in Evolution and Ecology w/ Potential for Security of Employment at #UCDavis

Department of Evolution and Ecology College of Biological Sciences University of California Davis

Open Position: Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment

The Department of Evolution and Ecology (EVE) invites applications for a full-time Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment (LPSOE). Faculty in LPSOE positions are eligible for promotion to Lecturer with Security of Employment (LSOE), the equivalent of tenure for ladder rank faculty. LPSOE/LSOE faculty are Academic Senate faculty members whose expertise and responsibilities center on undergraduate education and on the scholarly analysis and improvement of teaching methods. We are interested in candidates with expertise and teaching ability in Ecology, Evolution or related areas (e.g. ecological or evolutionary focused research in biodiversity, genetics, genomics, phylogenetics, conservation, or behavior).

The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching lower, and possibly upper division undergraduate biology classes, as well as developing large-enrollment General Education courses for non-biologists. S/he will also be responsible for working with other faculty and LPSOE’s within the college to develop, implement, and assess course learning objectives and new pedagogical methods, and to promote the Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity major. S/he will be expected to develop a record of excellence in teaching; as well as professional achievement through a research program in biological science education, assessment strategies, and/or research and publication in an academic discipline (in conjunction with mentoring of undergraduate students); and to play a leadership role in teaching and learning through service to the campus, community and/or profession.

Qualified applicants must have a (1) a Ph.D. in a biological science, (2) experience conducting scientific research in ecology, evolution or a related area, as demonstrated by published research in peer-reviewed journals; (3) potential or demonstrated excellence in teaching within their discipline. We prefer applicants with postdoctoral training in ecology, evolution (or related fields), or in science education. Other preferred qualifications include documented success in some or all of the following areas: teaching large undergraduate classes; use of evidence-based teaching practices; use of modern instructional technology; ability to identify and develop effective teaching strategies for diverse student populations; conducting life sciences education or assessment research; mentoring undergraduates in research, including those from diverse backgrounds; and curriculum and/or course design. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Closing date: open until filled, but all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received by November 14, 2016 to be assured full consideration. We are hoping to interview in January 2017. Applicants should submit materials online at:

https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01290.

Please submit a cover letter; curriculum vitae; a teaching statement that describes both teaching experience of and proposed teaching and research/leadership activities (not to exceed four pages); a research statement that describes disciplinary background and accomplishments (not to exceed two pages); a statement of contributions to diversity; a sample course syllabus and lecture material (e.g., PowerPoint slides) for one lecture (optional); and summaries of teaching evaluations from three courses (optional).

Applicants should also arrange to have three referees submit supporting letters online at the above website that can attest to your teaching experience and abilities as well as your disciplinary knowledge in chosen field. These letters are due by November 14, 2016. The administrative contact is Carla Munoz, camunoz, and the faculty contact is Gail Patricelli, gpatricelli. More information on the EVE department and the College of Biological Sciences is available online: (http://www-eve.ucdavis.edu/; http://biosci.ucdavis.edu/index_js.html)

The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, including women and minorities. UC Davis is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies, and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE Award for gender equity.

LPSOE 2016 Job Ad.pdf

Matt Hahn @3rdreviewer talk at #UCDavis – pen and paper notes

Matt Hahn was at UC Davis giving a talk yesterday.

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js I did not have my laptop available so took notes with – gasp – a pen and paper.  I thought it was quite a nice talk so am posting my notes here.  More about Matt and his work can be found here: http://www.indiana.edu/~hahnlab/.

——–
This is from the “Tree of Life Blog”
of Jonathan Eisen, an evolutionary biologist and Open Access advocate
at the University of California, Davis. For short updates, follow me on Twitter.

——–

At #UCDavis today Matthew Hahn @3rdreviewer “Adaptation and speciation: a virtuous cycle in Anopheles mosquitoes”

Today’s Ecology and Evolution seminar will be given by Matt Hahn from Indiana University, Bloomington. Matt and his lab study a variety of problems in population and speciation genomics. Matt will present results from Anopheles mosquitoes, which he started working on when he was a postdoc here at Davis.

See Matt’s website for more information about his research (http://www.indiana.edu/~hahnlab/).

The title of Matt’s talk is "Adaptation and speciation: a virtuous cycle in Anopheles mosquitoes" and will be presented in Giedt Hall 1003 on today, October 6 at 4:10pm

The White Men’s Microbiome Congress #YAMMM #Manel #Boycott

So I got this email this morning inviting me to attend a conference: the Second Annual Human Microbiome Congress in San Diego. (also called the North American Microbiome Congress).

And it struck me that all the featured speakers were men.

 Great.  So I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, hoping that maybe if I looked at the rest of the speakers it would be better.

So I had to register on some web site to download the full agenda for the meeting.  And there were the featured speakers, rippling with diversity

So then I went to scroll through the document looking for the other speakers.

OMFG – what a joke.

27 speakers featured.  25 of them male.  That comes to a whopping 93% male lineup.  In a field where there are a massive number of well known, well regarded female researchers.  What a f$&(#()@ joke.  This meeting should be boycotted.  I am going to write to all the speakers I know and ask them to cancel participating.

Update 10/6 1 PM

Got an email from a meeting representative asking me what I thought about the program.  I guess I got this because of my signing up to get the program.

And I wrote back

I guess we will see where this goes.

Update 10/6 1:10 PM

I also have begin writing to people I know who are speaking at the meeting.

I am hoping many of them cancel participating.  I will update when I get more answers but so far the two people who have responded have now withdrawn from the meeting.

UPDATE 10/11

The meeting organizers have responded and appear committed to improving / fixing their diversity issue.  See comments here and also the meeting web site.

That’s the good news.

Now the bad news.  A commenter pointed me to the same Group’s European Microbiome Congress.  It is a bit better than the US one but not much.

I think this group needs to make a broader statement about diversity than just focusing on one meeting.

For other posts on STEM Diversity see here.

——–
This is from the “Tree of Life Blog”
of Jonathan Eisen, an evolutionary biologist and Open Access advocate
at the University of California, Davis. For short updates, follow me on Twitter.

——–

Swimming Upstream: Lessons Learned about Managing Career Challenges – Dr. Susan L Rosenthal

There are still seats available and this event is open to all.
Register online at: Register Here

WIMHS-Rosenthal-Flier.FINAL.pdf

US Culture Collection Network Internships

2016 US Culture Collection Network Internship Program

The US Culture Collection Network is pleased to present a new activity for living microbe collection stakeholders.

Beginning immediately we will accept applications for a collection internship at one of the USCCN participating collections.

US Students and researchers interested in learning how to preserve, store, and document living microbe specimens are invited to apply to the US Culture Collection Network for 2 – 12 day internships at some of the country’s leading microbial repositories.

To be considered for an internship please send a brief essay describing your reason for wanting to participate in the internship along with a CV/resume and a statement from your major professor/sponsor stating why this is important for your education to any member of the USCCN Steering Committee. The duration of lab visits will be decided by the applicant in discussion with the hosting laboratory. All applications will be reviewed by the USCCN Steering Committee. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2016 and internships should be completed by March 31, 2017. Support will include economy air-travel, local transportation and accommodations as well as a modest per diem. These internships should be educational in nature and not as a means to establish or conduct a research collaboration.

All participant expenses are to be compatible with the NSF recommendations: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/manuals/gpm05_131/gpm6.jsp#618

Participant support allowances may not be paid to trainees who are receiving compensation, either directly or indirectly, from other Federal government sources while participating in the project. A non-NSF Federal employee may receive participant support allowances from grant funds provided there is no duplication of funding of items and provided no single item of participant cost is divided between his/her parent agency and NSF grant funds.

The USCCN does not discriminate on the basis of on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status, in this internship program or in any the networks programs and activities as required by applicable laws and regulations.