Stony Brook University recently hosted the Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) Symposium, gathering marine scientists from across the nation. The event took place over three days, from November 15 to 17, and included 115 participants such as undergraduates, graduates, faculty members, and professionals. This symposium aimed to celebrate women's achievements in marine science and strengthen professional connections.
The attendees traveled from various regions including New York, New England, Florida, Colorado, and South Carolina. It marked the first in-person SWMS event since a virtual meeting held in 2022.
Tara Rider played a significant role in organizing this symposium. As the faculty director of the environmental studies program and senior lecturer at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), Rider initiated this event after her students attended a SWMS gathering in 2019 with positive outcomes. She also founded the New York chapter of SWMS to facilitate mentoring events and workshops.
“This is a field that has been very male-dominated, historically speaking,” said Rider. “I think it’s important to create events like that that allow for mentoring and networking, for women to see other women working in the field. It gives support and helps create spaces where we can see what we can do for each other and what we can do for that next generation.”
The symposium began on Friday evening with a screening of "Picture a Scientist," a documentary focused on women's challenges and successes in STEM fields. Following this screening was a discussion about fostering equity and inclusion within scientific communities.
Saturday's agenda included workshops and panels focusing on professional development across academia, industry, government sectors, and nonprofits. Experts shared their career journeys while offering advice on navigating marine science career paths. Discussions highlighted building networks, adapting to challenges, and seeking mentorship.
An organizational tabling event showcased opportunities with groups like Peconic Baykeepers, Surfrider Foundation, New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC), and Gills Club.
The symposium concluded on Sunday with practical training workshops. Participants received marine mammal stranding training led by NYMRC experts to handle real-world rescue situations effectively. Data analysis sessions taught advanced techniques using R programming language applicable to research tasks while social media resume-building sessions helped enhance professional profiles.
“We don’t want to just crack a glass ceiling,” Rider stated as she concluded the event. “We want to give support so they can get to that ceiling.”