Redefining Colloquia: A necessary step toward a more diverse and equitable academy

Dr. Lama completed the following Broader Impacts Objective as proposed in her successful NSF PRFB award (2021).

The initiative, inspired by Dr. Lama’s participation as a graduate student in the student-led BRIDGE program at UMass, proposes a re-imagination of departmental colloquia geared to highlight the contributions of minority early-career researchers. Traditional academic colloquia provide a platform for research, which has largely served historically included and well-represented scholars. However, such platforms fail to acknowledge and celebrate the outsized service burdens undertaken by historically excluded (e.g., Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+) minority scholars. Therefore, re-defining (1) whom is invited and (2) what is presented at departmental colloquia is a neccessary step toward equity. We propose a “goal-oriented” approach to inviting speakers, and a “lead-by-example” approach to normalizing the inclusion of DEIJ contributions in colloquia.

Thus far, these approaches have resulted in a major departure from SUNY Stony Brook’s traditionally research-focused colloquium. The Spring 2021 colloquium included 9/13 URM speakers, three of which focused on teaching and service rather than research – a first for the department. This effort increases the visibility of underrepresented scientists, combats attrition among graduate students, and allows early career scientists to establish collaborations at leading research institutions.

We have compiled an open-source list of scholars who self-identify as both (1) members of an under-represented minority group in academia and (2) early-career (pre-tenure).

If you would like to be added to our open-source speaker database or would like to invite Dr. Lama to speak at your departmental colloquium, please contact: tlama@smith.edu

A Selection of Invited Talks

1. Lama TM (2022) Evolutionary genomics for conservation: assessing vulnerability, resilience and response in a changing world. Invited talk. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI.
2. Lama TM (2021) Exploring the bat immunome and the genomic underpinnings of extreme longevity. Invited talk. The Verena Consortium. Washington DC.
3. Lama TM (2021) Using gene-environment associations (GEA) to inform management in a changing environment. Invited talk. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center. Amherst, MA.
4. Lama TM (2021) Assessing genomic vulnerability among Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations at the trailing edge. Invited talk. California State University Stanislaus. Stanislaus, CA
5. Lama TM (2021) Using genomics to inform management of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations in a changing environment. Invited talk. Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff, AZ.