The Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) Award

The ASN/SSE/SSB Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Award was created in 2019 by the American Society of Naturalists (ASN), the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE), and the Society of Systematic Biologists (SSB). The IDEA Award is given to a person at any career stage who has strengthened the ecology and evolutionary biology community by promoting inclusiveness and diversity in our fields. The award can also be presented to a group. The recipient will receive a plaque at the annual meeting of ASN/SSB/SSE and a $1000 honorarium.

2021 IDEA Award Nominations

ASN, SSB, and SSE are now accepting nominations for the 2021 IDEA Award. Please nominate members of our community who have strengthened our field through their efforts to foster inclusiveness and diversity.
Nomination Package
Deadline: January 15, 2021
  • Nomination Letter: A single letter of support (1-2 pages) including biographical information (name, title, organization) of the person or group being nominated, along with a short description of the activities supporting the nomination. The letter must also include a section on the nature of impact the person or group has had on inclusivity, diversity, and equity in the field. For self-nominations, this letter should be written by someone familiar with the activities of the nominee.
  • Biosketch: A brief biosketch or list of activities (maximum 3 pages) for the person/group nominated.
  • Optional supplementary material: any material you believe clarifies the activities of the nominee relevant to this award (maximum 3 pages). 

Eligibility
This award is open to anyone at any career stage who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, no contemporary officer, editor, member of diversity committee, or meeting organizer of the three societies is eligible for the award.

Past IDEA Award Winners

2019

​Dr. Scott Edwards and Dr. Richard Kliman were selected for their steadfast commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented minorities in evolutionary biology. In 2001, they started the Undergraduate Diversity at Evolution (UDE) program to provide funding and mentorship for students to attend the annual Evolution meeting. Since its inception, nearly 250 US and international undergraduates have had the opportunity to participate.