A New Vision for Change: Re-imagining Biology Education Through Social Justice

The Undergraduate Biology Education Research GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

As a community, we have witnessed significant changes in the discourse in biology and undergraduate biology education since our last Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar in 2019. Two key drivers for such changes include disruptions to the educational system by the COVID-19 pandemic and intensified conversations surrounding racism in and out of the classroom. A renewed recognition emerged from these disruptions: Undergraduate biology education is about partnering with students and scholars from different communities and intersections of identities to create inclusive learning environments. This re-commitment compels us to renew conversations on research that may reshape our practices and policies, propelling us to take further action and implement changes at our respective home institutions. Specifically, we invite on-going scholarship that strives to center people and communities, foster collaborations and systemic changes, and create new visions toward social justice. This conference will bring together students, postdoctoral scholars, researchers, educators, administrators, policy makers, and publishers, providing a forum to share emerging research and practices that promote inclusive, diversity, equity, access, and social justice in undergraduate biology education across disciplines and sectors.