Overview

A network to foster and support a community of like-minded ecologists focused on issues pertaining to gender.

Opportunities Show tags

• Audience Type: Researchers and students

• Topic: Career development
• Communities
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Membership
• Networks

Launched in early 2023, The Equity and Diversity for all Genders in Ecology (EDGE) network at the BES aims to address the challenges related to gender inequity, bias and discrimination many of us face on a day-to-day basis and foster a community of like-minded ecologists focused on issues pertaining to gender.

Our objectives

We have identified four priority objectives that we will work towards:

• Foster a supportive and safe community where gender related issues are discussed and solutions developed: at the EDGE network, we not only want to create a belonging community but also do things together that makes belonging matter. Hence, we want to develop an inclusive, close-knit and engaged community in which everyone can safely voice their issues and thoughts, connecting with those who are facing, or have faced, similar problems.
• Build a comprehensive evidence base of gender related issues faced by ecologists: we aim to build an evidence base that covers the breadth and depth of gender related issues in the science, policy and practice of conservation and ecological sciences. This evidence base will allow us to understand the full scope of the impact of gender related issues in the ecological sciences with a nuanced understanding of the role of work culture, country specific norms, stereotypes and expectations.
• Equip all ecologists with the resources to be aware of, think strategically about and implement solutions to gender related problems: we want to build awareness of the variety of gender related challenges that our community faces and more importantly we aim to equip our members with the tools, skills and advice to tackle these challenges. In this way we hope that we foster a community of ecologists with a gender aware work philosophy.
• Promote diverse voices who are championing gender related initiatives in the ecology community: at the EDGE network, we want to champion all ecologists working towards gender equity in research, policy and practices. We hope that such champions will inspire, guide and motivate everyone to take steps towards building a gender equitable, unbiased and unprejudiced world of ecology.

These objectives will be reviewed and revised from time to time. Get in touch with us to have your say on the objectives of the EDGE network.

Keep up to date with the EDGE Network’s latest news and activities.

By signing up you will also have the option to answer three quick questions used to shape the network’s manifesto.

By providing your details you are consenting for us to contact you about the EDGE network only, your information will not be shared with anyone else either within or outside the BES.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the EDGE committee.

Dr Sarah Dalrymple (she/her), Co-chair
I am a Reader in Conservation Ecology at Liverpool John Moores University and specialise in plant ecology and conservation. I’ve been very involved in diversity and inclusion activities for many years, writing articles and speaking at events for early career ecologists and women in conservation and ecology. I know from first-hand experience that gender discrimination is still a reality and want to help individuals navigate this, influence wider societal and professional change, and hopefully, be a role model for ecologists from all genders.

Dr Michaela Guo Ying Lo (she/her), Policy Representative
I am a Postdoctoral researcher at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent. My research mostly centres on Indonesia, exploring how land use decisions affect social outcomes and conservation efforts. Within the EDGE committee, I focus on raising gender-related issues and driving meaningful actions to advance equity in the ecology and environment sector.

Dr Trisha Gopalakrishna (she/her), Policy Representative
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Geography, University of Exeter UK. My research interests span climate change mitigation by and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, specifically tropical rainforests and savannas. As a woman of colour in the ecological sciences, I want to create an open environment to discuss actionable steps to promote gender equality.

Eleonora Vecchi, Communications Representative
I hold an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Stirling and a BA in Philosophy, with a focus on environmental thought. My work explores the social dimensions of scientific research, drawing on eco-feminist, queer, and decolonial perspectives. I’m passionate about making research more accessible, forward-thinking, and collaborative. Within EDGE, my role centres on communication and community-building, empowering people to speak up and co-create inclusive, lived practices in conservation.

Rezoana Arefine, Communications Representative
I am an MSc student in Zoology (Wildlife Biology) at the National University of Bangladesh, focusing on snake ecology. Since my undergraduate years, I’ve been actively engaged in equity, diversity, and inclusion—advocating for women in ecology and wildlife sciences. As part of the EDGE committee, I work to raise gender-related issues and promote safer, more inclusive environments within the conservation field.

Our networks

Our networks allow ecologists to come together through shared identities. Find the right fit for you.

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Join the editorial board on Journal of Ecology in this journal-unique role! Apply by 26 Sep 2025.

Submit to our Journal of Ecology special feature on functional traits in primary producers.

Join the editorial board on Journal of Applied Ecology! Apply by 07 Sep 2025.