The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) for the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is excited to announce a number of opportunities related to the upcoming meeting in Fairbanks. We hope that you will take advantage of one or more of these! Questions and comments can be directed to deic@afs-alaska.org.
The AK-AFS DEIC is looking for new members!
All identities and career stages are encouraged to self-nominate. You do not need to be an existing AK Chapter AFS member to participate. Click here for more information.
2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Travel Award
This award was designed to increase participation among individuals who identify as part of an underrepresented and/or historically marginalized group (e.g., in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, physical and/or mental abilities) in fisheries or a related discipline. Successful applicants will receive travel support to attend the annual meeting as well as a year-long AK-AFS membership. Please click here to apply! Applications are due by February 24, 2023. Applicants will be notified about selections by March 1, 2023.
Want to donate to the DEI fund and/or help with DEI-related efforts?
Contact us! We’d love to hear from you…
Workshop: Collaborative Approaches to DEI in Fisheries
This workshop will focus on recruitment, retention, and promotion processes for Alaska fisheries professions. Here, we will provide an opportunity for people from around the state to discuss efforts that are and are not working in terms of advancing DEI. A major goal of the workshop is to promote collaboration among institutions and strengthen agency-specific efforts to increase access to fisheries professions across Alaska. Discussions will be facilitated by G2 Diversified Services and financial support from Alaska Sea Grant allows us to offer this workshop free of charge!
Monday | March 27, 2023
8AM to 4:30PM
The workshop will be held on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. Remote attendance will also be available, though we encourage folks to participate in-person, if possible. Note: You do not need to be a member of AFS in order to participate.
Because workshop discussions will benefit from many axes of diversity, participant selection will be based on affiliation, career stage, geographic location, and relevant aspects of personal identity. Applications are due by February 24, 2023. Space is Limited! Please click here to apply.
Community Building Events at the AK AFS Meeting in Fairbanks
Please join us for one or more of the following events in Fairbanks – all of which are intended to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the AK Chapter! Other meeting details can be found here.
Mentorship Mixer (in person only)
Tue, Mar 28 | Lunch
Food and drinks provided (Registration required)
This lunch-time event, co-hosted with the CFOS student group, will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss a number of topics. Mentorship benefits people at every career stage, so all participants are encouraged to both share their experiences and learn from others. Informal conversations may center around professional development, career advancement, and/or belonging in STEM. The organizers will provide prompts, but participants are encouraged to discuss anything that is of interest to them.
Affinity Groups (in person and remote options)
Affinity groups provide safe spaces for people who identify with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized groups to gather, build community, and bolster a sense of belonging. There are in-person coffee break events in Fairbanks, as well as a remote option on Tue, Mar 28. Note: You must identify as a member of any affinity group that you intend to join.
Tue, Mar 28 | AM Coffee Break BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
Tue, Mar 28 | PM Coffee Break LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-spirit +)
Wed, Mar 29 | AM Coffee Break People with Disabilities (including physical conditions, neurodivergence, mood disorders, and chronic illness)
Wed, Mar 29 | PM Coffee Break First Generation College Students (Past & Present)
Thu, Mar 30 | AM Coffee Break Dependent Caregivers
Thu, Mar 30 | PM Coffee Break Women and Underrepresented Genders
Tue, Mar 28 | PM Coffee Break Remote Option – All affinity groups listed above. Contact us for the link!
Allyship Discussion (in person only)
Want to keep refining your skills as an ally? Join us for an informal discussion about how we can work together to more effectively support those with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized identities in fisheries. Everyone is welcome (and encouraged) to attend! Please note that these discussions are not intended to serve as a professional training. This is simply an opportunity for participants to learn from each other.
Fri, Mar 31 | 8:30-10AM – Breakfast provided
Other Types of Support
- Tribal members and high school students get free registration! Free registration for members of Alaska Tribes and Canadian First Nations is supported by a generous contribution from Sealaska.
We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Cheryl Barnes, she | they (DEIC Chair)
Sara Gilk-Baumer, she | her
Katie Russell, she | her
Keenan Sanderson, he | him
Erik Schoen, he | him (AK AFS Executive Committee Liaison)
Madeline Lee, she | her (AK AFS Student Subunit Liaison)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
e: deic@afs-alaska.org; p: (541) 351-8501
