Roxanne Zybenko-Keane, Ecological Society of Australia Equity & Diversity and Early Career Ecologists Working Groups

An ESA Equity & Diversity survey in 2018 revealed 14% of ESA members identified as having a disability; a further 20-40% of respondents stated support for disability and mental health was a priority. In a profession demanding maximum physical and emotional resilience and independence, it is very difficult to progress one’s career with a disability, chronic illness or mental health condition, especially alone or with limited support that is outsourced from other sectors and networks.

Articles in this series are from several ecologists at different career stages with a range of conditions with real barriers in workplaces and academia. Their common experiences are managing the practical problems linked to their experiences, conforming to professional expectations and organisational structures at their own expense, reticence in asking for supports in academia and workplaces, isolation and still having the drive and courage to remain in their field.

Roxanne describes having the physical limitations of Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia doing fieldwork, concerns of judgment and exclusion from employers, engagement with allied health and employment services, her love of wildlife assisting trauma recovery and mission to work in captive wildlife management. Megan and Claudia talk about chronic illness, it not being a temporary problem, valuable experiences declined or postponed to rest and recover, and how performance cultures in conservation worsen people’s wellbeing and productivity. Meg explains ADHD as being a source of creativity, energy and flow, as well as a contributor to burnout sustaining focus in distracting environments and rigid structures in academia. Kylie recounts how burnout contributed to physical injury, hindered recovery and shares of the message of self-care to remain in good physical and mental health.

The aim of these stories is to illustrate disadvantages experienced by ecologists with a disability, chronic illness or mental health condition, and the ramifications to their careers and wellbeing. They also propose strategies to address these barriers, encourage a more compassionate and supportive culture in ecology, and ask for greater adoption of flexible recruitment and workplace practices.

This collection of stories is part of an ESA series spotlighting issues affecting Australian ecologists. The ESA is committed to supporting ecologists find solutions to and develop resources for issues important to them. This includes networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, grants and awards, mentoring programs, and more.

If you would like to join the ESA Equity & Diversity Working Group and help progress actions in this area, please visit the ESA website.