Conference Description
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scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages.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.
The topics, speakers, and discussion leaders for the conference sessions are displayed below. The conference chair is currently developing their detailed program, which will include the complete meeting schedule, as well as the talk titles for all speakers. The detailed program will be available by February 25, 2023. Please check back for updates.
Keynote Session: Reshaping the Landscape of Biology Education: Social Justice at the Forefront
Discussion Leaders
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Bryan Dewsbury (Florida International University, United States)
Speakers
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Beronda Montgomery (Grinnell College, United States)
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Edna Tan (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, United States)
Centering People and Communities: Identity and Intersectionality in the Foreground
Discussion Leaders
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Elli Theobald (University of Washington, United States)
Speakers
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Jeffrey Maloy (UCLA, United States)
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Derek Braun (Gallaudet University, United States)
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Jonita Kerr (Guam Community College, Guam)
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Jannelle Couret (University of Rhode Island, United States)
Centering People and Communities: Critical Voice and Epistemology in STEM
Discussion Leaders
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Joshua Reid (Texas Tech University, United States)
Speakers
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Terrell Morton (University of Illinois Chicago, United States)
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Nancy Acevedo (California State University, San Bernardino, United States)
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Jessica Hernandez (University of Washington, United States)
Collaborating Across Disciplines: Future of Data Science in Biology Education
Discussion Leaders
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Juan Ramirez-Lugo (University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Puerto Rico)
Speakers
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Krystal Tsosie (Arizona State University, United States)
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Jayson Nissen (Nissen Education Research and Design, United States)
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Mentewab Ayalew (Spelman College, United States)
Collaborating Across Communities: Partnerships Beyond Outreach and Service
Discussion Leaders
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Sunshine Brosi (Utah State University, Eastern, United States)
Speakers
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Vivian Carter (Tuskegee University, United States)
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Mike Gil (University of Colorado, Boulder, United States)
Fostering Systemic Change: Policies and Structures Toward Common Goals
Discussion Leaders
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Starlette Sharp (Penn State University, United States)
Speakers
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Richelle Tanner (Chapman University, United States)
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Samiksha Raut (The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States)
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Miriam Segura-Totten (University of North Georgia, United States)
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Mike Wilton (University of California, Santa Barbara, United States)
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Jason Williams (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, United States)
Fostering Systemic Change: New and Critical Lenses for Curricula and Programs
Discussion Leaders
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Carlos Goller (NC State University Biotechnology Program (BIT), United States)
Speakers
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Dennis Lee (BSCS Science Learning, United States)
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Ashley Juavinett (UC San Diego, United States)
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Naneh Apkarian (Arizona State University, United States)
Disruptions Toward Justice: Changing Culture and Discourse in Biology Education
Discussion Leaders
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Kaitlin Bonner (St. John Fisher University, United States)
Speakers
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Karen Cangialosi (OE Global/Karen Cangialosi, United States)
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Rou-Jia Sung (Carleton College, United States)
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Sam Long (Gender Inclusive Biology, United States)
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Desiree Forsythe (Chapman University, United States)
Keynote Session: Disruptions Toward Justice: Moving Forward as a Community
Discussion Leaders
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Gloriana Trujillo (Stanford University, United States)
Speakers
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Heidi Schweingruber (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, United States)
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April Hill (Department of Biology, United States)
The GRC Power Hourâ„¢
Organizers
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Erin Dolan (University of Georgia, United States)
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Stacey Kiser (Lane Community College, United States)