A Call to Action

How to get involved:

Tell us about harmful terminology in EEB by filling out the google form

The purpose of this form is to crowdsource terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology that may be harmful or offensive. We also hope to identify potential replacement terms and provide space for additional comments, explanations, or context regarding the terms provided. The form will contribute to a repository for harmful terminology that will be regularly updated.

Figure 1 from Cheng et al. 2023

Questions to ask when (re)considering scientific terminology in EEB

We recommend individuals critically assess their subfield’s terminology. Below are some guiding questions:

  • History: What is a term’s etymology/origin of a term? Does its origin celebrate dominant narratives or oppressive norms? Does it commemorate violence or perpetuate prejudicial stereotypes?

  • Context: How might members of marginalized communities have different or negative experiences with a term, irrespective of the intentions of those using the term? How can EEB learn from, and center, those experiences in conversations about disciplinary terminology?

  • Community: Who has participated in conversations about the impact of a term, or about recommendations for more inclusive alternative terminology? Do such conversations center those most marginalized by that term?

  • Interdisciplinarity: How has a term been discussed in the critical humanities and social sciences? What new insights about terminology (and its histories, meanings, and impacts) do science and technology studies, the environmental humanities, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) rhetoric add to EEB?

  • Implementation: If a term has harmful associations, what alternative term(s) might more inclusively convey the same scientific concept? How can more inclusive alternatives be integrated into research, teaching, and mentoring?

An invitation to collaborate:

Contact us to find ways to participate and suggest ideas for workshops, panels, conferences, or project development.

Email: eeblanguageproject@gmail.com