Forensic Ecology (NATURE DETECTIVE) with Tiara Moore

Marine Science

Dr. Tiara Moore founded Black in Marine Science to address the lack of diversity in the field and to create a supportive community for Black marine scientists. She shares her experiences of being the only Black person in her lab and the challenges she faced, which motivated her to establish this organization. Moore emphasizes the importance of visibility and mentorship, stating, "Black and marine science is really the manifestation of us saying, hey, we're here. We're doing awesome research, and we want to get more black folks in the field" 1. The organization has grown significantly, providing outreach and support to Black scientists who often find themselves isolated in their workplaces 2.

   

Advocacy Challenges

Despite some progress, Tiara Moore notes that many diversity initiatives in marine science remain performative, lacking genuine support for people of color. She highlights the slow pace of change and the need for real allyship, citing the David and Lucille Packard Foundation as an example of meaningful support 3. Moore advises those feeling isolated in academia to seek community and advocate for themselves, sharing her own experiences of confronting racism and microaggressions. She stresses the importance of speaking up, saying, "If I'm speaking up, then maybe another person won't have to. They'll change their behavior" 4.