Society for Freshwater Science’s Emerge program releases video highlighting participant experiences

Beth Gavrilles, [email protected]

Contact: Breanna Ondich, [email protected]

The Society for Freshwater Science’s Emerge program, which aims to increase diversity and inclusion within the field of aquatic science, has released a short video highlighting participant experiences to demonstrate how the program is already having an impact.

The SFS Emerge Experience was produced by the nonprofit Freshwaters Illustrated.

Emerge, established this year with a five-year $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation, is housed in the Odum School of Ecology. It is jointly led by Odum School professor Amy Rosemond and undergraduate program coordinator Amanda Rugenski, program coordinator Breanna Ondich, and colleagues from Georgia Southern University, the University of California Berkeley and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Emerge is designed to break down cultural barriers and provide welcoming spaces and growth experiences for students from groups under-represented in STEM fields.

“You haven’t made an inclusive environment until it becomes important to everyone and a shared value,” Rosemond said. “SFS hopes to lead in creating a model of a supportive and affirming scientific society, particularly for people who have had to face barriers in our field due to their identity.”

Participation is open to undergraduates, graduate students, and early career scholars from groups underrepresented in freshwater science, including those based on race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and first-generation college status. Those selected as Emerge Fellows are provided with opportunities for mentorship and career-enhancing activities including workshops in science communication, programming and data analysis, as well as an annual river float trip. Emerge Fellowships also cover the cost of annual SFS membership as well as registration, travel, and lodging for the SFS annual meeting in May.

Applications for the 2022-2023 Emerge cohort are being accepted through March 7, 2022. For more information, visit https://www.sfsemerge.org/ or contact program coordinator Breanna Ondich at [email protected].