Explorers Symposium 2024

The Natural History Museum's Explorers Programme welcomes everyone (regardless of background or career stage) who is interested, studying, and/or working in Earth, environmental, and ecological sciences to explore how to make our field more equitable, accountable, and better in practice in serving people and planet.

At this symposium, we will hear from those who have lived experience, interdisciplinary insight, and/or experimented with improving equity in science, education, environmental and cultural sectors. Speakers have a range of expertise and we aim to create a place of knowledge exchange – learning from different disciplines and exploring approaches to climate and environmental justice. While panel members will initiate the discussion, we invite attendees to actively contribute and participate in the discussions. There will also be a networking session at the event to meet the speakers and discuss ideas, opportunities and advice.

This event is free to attend and will be held in person. We have some funds to reimburse travel expenses for students and other attendees with financial barriers who are arriving from outside London.

Please note this event for those aged 18+ and above.

For the Explorers Conference, please click here to book your ticket!

Core panels:

• Understanding the roots and causes of underrepresentation and marginalisation in the UK and beyond*

• Narrating and contextualising collections and specimens*

Optional panels (you will be able to attend two from):

· Co-developing science with Indigenous and local communities*

· Recruitment, retainment, and systemic change

· Access in science*

· Outreach with marginalised communities

Panels marked with an * are available to those attending remotely and in-person.

Agenda:

• Registration

• Welcome and introductions by Nuzhat Tabassum and Nick Crumpton

• Core Panel 1

• Lunch

• Core Panel 2

• Optional Panel 1

• Break

• Optional Panel 2

• Networking Session

Accessibility and Conduct:

The space is wheelchair accessible: there is lift access across the museum and an accessibility toilet at the conference area. BSL interpreter can be arranged upon request. There are also quiet spaces for sensory breaks and there are prayer room facilities in the museum. Please let us know if you require these or if you need any further accessibility needs in the registration form.

Vegetarian food and drinks will be provided for lunch, break time, and the networking session. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies in the registration form.

This event will operate a code of conduct, that will be circulated prior to the event, and will be upheld during the event.

Travel Reimbursement:

Students and attendees who would like financial support (e.g. low-income, disability requirements) for travelling from outside of London can apply for financial assistance in the registration form. Non-student requests will be assessed on a case-by-case scenario and confirmed a week before the event. This is applicable for public transport booked with standard/economy class tickets. When in London, please use public transport, walk or cycle wherever possible. Taxis should only be used in exceptional circumstances and should be agreed in advance. Keep hold of your travel receipts for reimbursement. Travel reimbursement is capped at £100 - if you require more, please contact us.

Attendees who have been awarded financial assistance and have been marked present during registration of the event will be sent a bank form on the Monday (or Tuesday) after the event. Please fill the form with your bank details, photos of your travel receipts, and a handwritten signature. The Museum usually takes 1-1.5 months to process payments: if this is a barrier please contact Nuzhat Tabassum and Anna Hutson.

For attendees (requiring travel reimbursement) coming to both the Explorers Conference and Explorers Symposium, you can claim up to £100 on travel and £100 on one night's accomodation.

About The Explorers Programme:

The Explorers Programme develops events and resources to encourage and support students from marginalised races to pursue a career in Natural History research and the environmental sector.

We would like the event to be a safe space for students and researchers from a marginalised ethnic minority background to enable an honest and open conversation, thus we regret that this conference will not be recorded.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Graduate Centre:

Nuzhat Tabassum, The Explorers Programme Officer

nuzhat.tabassum[at]nhm.ac.uk

Nick Crumpton

Nick.crumpton[at]nhm.ac.uk

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom