Ento-Allies commit to creating safe spaces at professional entomological meetings, important places where careers are begun and collaborators meet. Ento-Allies are visible, vetted colleagues that are available to support you.
Discrimination or harassment for any reason is not OK.
The ESA has a clear policy defining behaviors that are not acceptable at a professional conference. We believe that most people want to do the right thing and will treat their colleagues with respect.
But we also think that having visible allies at the meeting helps remind attendees that groping or harassing isn’t OK; and racist or homophobic language and behavior is unacceptable. We want people to be thoughtful about what they say or do, so our professional meetings are welcoming to all.
Our only function is to support the recipients of unwelcome behavior. Ento-Allies will listen and provide support — but any decisions about filing formal reports or other actions are entirely yours as a participant in the meeting. Anything you tell us is confidential.
We Are Not Affiliated With the ESA
Ento-Allies is completely separate from the Entomological Society of America or any other entomological organization.
Is this really necessary?
A steady stream of data documenting what women, LGBT, and BIPOC folks experience in science has been building for the last 20 years. It’s not pretty. We’ll just list a few recent news items and publications here:
- AMNH fires invertebrate curator for sexual harassment
- Academia Isn’t a Safe Haven for Conversations About Race and Racism
- ESA statement on Sexist Scarab Newsletter
- University of Nebraska apology for Scarab Newsletter
- Meetings have never been safe
- Racism in academia, and why the ‘little things’ matter
- Relationship violence claims life of Entomology Grad Student
- It matters when Professional Societies are silent on race
- National Academy Report on Sexual Harassment
- Field Site Directors need to establish reporting rules
- Harassment during field Research is targeted at trainees
- Database of Academic Sexual Misconduct Cases
- Sexual Harassment is Scientific Misconduct
- Race and Gender Bias by Major Advisors
- Sexual Assault Rates at 27 Colleges
- AAAS retracts column advising women to let advisors look at their boobs
- BYU Punishes LGBT students that report their rapes, not their rapists
- Entomology Faculty member center of harassment lawsuit
- Entomology Department Retreat goes horribly wrong
- Entomology Faculty member films students showering without consent
- CSU Entomology Professor Arrested for Child Pornography (again)
- Canadian Entomologist Arrested for Child Pornography
Read More:
- What do Ento-Allies do?
- How do I contact you?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Codes of Conduct
- What is a Code of Conduct?
- Your Science Conference should have a Code of Conduct
- Free book: How to Respond to Code of Conduct Reports
- Drafting an Ethical Code of Conduct for Professional Societies
Thank you to our Astronomy Fore-Mothers
We are closely modeled on the successful Astronomy Allies program:
“The Astronomy Allies Program consists of volunteers who act to form a “safe-zone” at AAS meetings. An Astronomy Ally can act as a buffer, bystander, or advocate. As a meeting participant, you can contact an Ally if you need help. Allies can provide confidential advice, support, information, and resources. They can serve as a liaison between you and the AAS administration. They can help create an environment where the perpetrators of harassment feel they “can’t get away” with their unprofessional and disturbing behavior. As knowledge of the Allies Program grows, their very existence may help prevent future problems before they start.
Ento-Allies 