Women on a MISSion: Bringing Diversity to Shark Sciences
Jaida Elcock, Jasmin Graham, Amani Webber-Schultz, Carlee Jackson
Minorities in Shark Sciences, or MISS, is a group of young marine biologists with a goal of diversifying the world of shark research. MISS founders are working to create an inclusive community for women of colour in science. Their work breaks down barriers and creates space for equal opportunity and representation in ocean conservation.
Photo: MISS founders - Jaida Elcock, Jasmin Graham, Amani Webber-Schultz, and Carlee Jackson
We have all lived through the discomfort of being the “only one” in the room. As Black women in a field run predominantly by white men, we are incredibly aware that we don’t fit the typical stereotype of a shark researcher. That awareness can make it difficult to cultivate a sense of belonging. That is why we created MISS: Minorities in Shark Sciences. Young women of colour in the world today deserve to feel appreciated and represented in the field they hope to one day enter.
Breaking Down Barriers
The aim of MISS is to increase diversity in shark sciences and marine biology. We have seen children, teens, and even adults feel discouraged because they haven’t seen themselves represented in this field. In some cases, people don’t even realise that marine science is an option for them because of the lack of representation. To see the excitement for marine science fade in someone that was once so passionate about it is devastating.
We are determined to make it known that shark science is for everyone because without help from everyone, science loses. We strongly believe that diversity in people (e.g. lived experiences, ways of life) can create diversity in thought. Without this diversity in thought, certain ways of thinking are absent from the field, potentially hindering discovery and causing a great loss in the scientific community. We need to do better! We need every perspective we can get to further our knowledge of the ocean. Diversity will help us do that.
Equal Access
Photo: MISS founders - Jaida Elcock, Jasmin Graham, Amani Webber-Schultz, and Carlee Jackson
Increasing diversity in any field has its challenges. But with our collective passion, hunger for change, and goals, these challenges can be overcome. MISS is dedicated to breaking down barriers that people of color often struggle with. First, we will tackle financial barriers. Not everyone can afford to pursue unpaid internships or pay to gain research experience. And frankly, they shouldn’t have to! There is no reason a student shouldn’t be supported for the work they are doing.
We want to provide the opportunity for women of color to get valuable shark tagging and boat experience through an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Miami. By partnering with the Field School, we are able to house and feed our program participants on a research vessel. Through generous donations, we are able to cover travel expenses for everyone participating, so no student has to worry about the price of a plane ticket.
Building Community
In addition to financial barriers, we will work to dissolve social barriers. While on the vessel, we will have meaningful conversations about what it means to be a woman of colour in science. But when the program ends, the communication doesn’t. MISS will continue to support our small community of women of colour in the field. The MISS membership program includes support from the network of women in shark science, mentorship, career development, collaboration, and access to special events. This will be a welcoming and safe place to turn to when they feel they need it. We know what it’s like to feel alone and we never want another woman of colour to feel that way.
Photo: MISS founders - Jaida Elcock, Jasmin Graham, Amani Webber-Schultz, and Carlee Jackson
Yes, increasing diversity is hard. But so is living as a Black woman in a predominantly white space. MISS was born from our own experiences. The four of us all wished we had a program like this when we were younger so we are giving it to girls like us now. All we hope for is to make a difference and show the world that science is a place for every identity, including women of color.
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