The Explorers Conference 2023

The Natural History Museum's Explorers Programme welcomes undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career researchers from Black, Asian, Arab, and other racially minoritised backgrounds in the UK who are interested in Earth, environmental, and ecological sciences to find out more about research and career pathways in this field.

At this conference, you will hear directly from scientists from marginalised ethnic groups about their careers and experiences, discover the varied opportunities in the environmental sciences, and take part workshops to provide the tools and advice that will assist you on your own career and educational journeys. There will also be a networking session at the event to meet the speakers and discuss opportunities and advice.

This event is free to attend and will be held in person. We will endeavor to reimburse travel expenses for audience members who are arriving from outside London.

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

Confirmed Speakers:

Sonia Dhanda - Science Policy, Kew Gardens

Brianna Francis - Senior Climate Project Manger, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Raja Jarra - Climate Change Consultant, Freelancer

Inez Januszczak - Entomologist, Natural History Museum

Subhadra Das - Public Historian and Writer

Omar Rafael Regalado Fernández - Paleontologist, Senckenberg Museum

Diyora Shadijanova - Journalist, ACT Climate Labs

More speakers to be announced!

Workshops:

• Applying for Masters and Ph.D. programmes

• Creative Approaches to Public Engagement

Further workshops to be announced!

Agenda:

• Registration

• Welcome and introductions by Nuzhat Tabassum and Anjali Goswami

• Panel 1

• Lunch

• Panel 2

• Workshop 1

• Break

• Workshop 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:

Attendees travelling from outside of London can apply for financial assistance in the registration form. 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 exception circumstances. Keep hold of your travel receipts for reimbursement. Travel reimbursement is capped at £100 - if you require more, please contact us.

Attendees who have asked for reimbursement 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, however if this is a barrier, and please contact Nuzhat Tabassum and Anna Hutson.

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 to inform that this conference will not be recorded.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Explorers Team:

Nuzhat Tabassum, The Explorers Programme Officer (main contact)

nuzhat.tabassum[at]nhm.ac.uk

Anjali Goswami

a.goswami[at]nhm.ac.uk

Stephanie Holt

steph.holt[at]nhm.ac.uk

A nna Hutson

a .hutson[at]nhm.ac.uk