ROOT-SHOOT RCN

ROOT & SHOOT 2026 travel awards. Q. Member of MANRRS, SACNAS, or AISES? Q. Curious about plant science? A. Apply for a ROOT & SHOOT travel award! Up to $3000 to attend a plant science conference in 2026.

The 2026 plant science conference travel award program is open!
Awards are given to student/mentor pairs.
At lease one of the pair must be a member of SACNAS or MANRRS or AISES.
Please share, applications due by Dec 5, 2025.
@sacnas.bsky.social
rootandshoot.org/2026-root-sh...

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Making conferences in the plant sciences more inclusive through community recommendations The ROOT & SHOOT project in the plant sciences has produced guidelines to help scientific societies organize conferences that are more inclusive and offer more supportive environments to all attendees...

We're wrapping up another year of the ROOT & SHOOT Research Coordination Network!
It's been a busy year: See "Highlights of Year Four"
rootandshoot.org/highlights-o....
We've done a lot but the icing on the cake was publishing our first big project in eLIFE elifesciences.org/articles/106... 🎉

The new #NSF #GRFP application now excludes 1000’s of students, including those who were told they could apply this year, or who planned to apply next year.

We have a new specific petition urging #NSFGRFP undo this harmful action. If you are impacted sign here: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/

Already 300+ signatures in one afternoon.

Read & consider signing + sharing a petition to reverse eligibility restrictions and ensure applicants (including 2nd year PhD students) have a fair chance at this year's GRFP.

laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/

More info including agenda here www.nationalacademies.org/event/45044_...

Rethinking Researcher Assessment and Incentives at U.S. Academic Institutions: A Workshop Register for this event from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Rethinking Researcher Assessment and Incentives at U.S. Academic Institutions: Online Workshop
Oct 28-29.
events.nationalacademies.org/45044_10-202...
This workshop will explore new approaches to expand the assessment criteria beyond traditional outputs such as grants, publications, & citations.

Great advice here that AAB will be embracing into the future...

‘Completely shattered.’ Changes to NSF’s graduate student fellowship spur outcry The announcement comes months later than usual, leaving many would-be applicants stranded

this year's applicants - now limited to 1st YEAR GRAD STUDENTS- “will have just over 6 weeks—& that’s only after earlier this week the agency extended the posted deadlines by about 2 weeks, from late October to early November, with no announcement or explanation.”
www.science.org/content/arti...

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Making conferences in the plant sciences more inclusive through community recommendations The ROOT & SHOOT project in the plant sciences has produced guidelines to help scientific societies organize conferences that are more inclusive and offer more supportive environments to all attendees...

We are incredibly excited & proud: our first publication is out in eLIFE!
"Making conferences in the plant sciences more inclusive through community recommendations"
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
This project was a team effort involving contributors from seven professional societies. #PlantSci

Plant Biology Global Fostering Inclusion in Plant Biology August 13, 11:00 am EST Speakers: Lesley Murphy, University of California Sunil Kenchanmane-Raju, New York University Kevin Cox, Jr, Washington University in St. Louis/Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Rebecca (BeKa) Leushen-Kohl, Purdue University Glenda Gillaspy, University of Wisconsin Stella Salvo, Bayer

If you are attending #PlantBiology2025 in person, you can also attend the online events.
We encourage you to attend "Fostering Inclusion in Plant Biology," Aug. 13 at 11 AM Eastern time (and recorded).
You can also buy a ticket for just the online event.
plantbiology.aspb.org/plant-biolog...

What grows in the margins: Plants, People, and the Politics of Care. Dr. Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade. Dr. Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade is a faculty member in the Plant Science Dept. at Cal Poly Pomona. Her teaching thoughtfully weaves together plant science and ethnic studies, highlighting the powerful role of plants in shaping stories of reslience, healing, and social mobility. Her research is grounded in community-based collaborations focused on abortion care, working alongside Mexico-based organizations and researcher such as Nacer y Renancer, Centro de Mujeres, and photographer Mahe Elipe. July 3rd, 10-11am PDT / 1-2pm EDT. Open to all, come be a part of it!

Join us Thursday July 3 at 10am PDT (1pm EDT, 6pm in the UK) for a fascinating webinar presented by Dr. Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade from Cal Poly Pomona, speaking on "What Grows in the Margins: Plants, People, and the Politics of Care". Free to join, register here rootandshoot.org/webinar-plan...

Mary Williams, PI of the ROOT & SHOOT (R&S) initiative (led by @aspbofficial.bsky.social) talks to #ICAR2025 about the mentor development activity underway with the R&S plant society consortium @plantteaching.bsky.social @root-shoot.bsky.social

#icar2025 @plantteaching.bsky.social @root-shoot.bsky.social

Please join @kateycooper.bsky.social and @ascbiology.bsky.social for a webinar about LGBTQ+ experiences in biological sciences! June 18th, 2025 at 2pm EST. #pride #pridemonth #outinstem #LGBTQIA #LGBTQ #queerinstem #cellbio #cellbiology #ascb

Advice | 5 Steps to Defend Higher Ed How to stand up for academe in this era of constant attacks from federal and state governments.

After writing about feeling personally a little adrift working in higher ed, I interviewed a group of people who had found pathways to resist and take action. Here's what I learned from them, w/ thanks to @karencosta.bsky.social, @daniellaurison.bsky.social & others
www.chronicle.com/article/5-st...

There's another workshop scheduled to support this initiative, June 6th, 12pm ET, led by Dr. Katherine Xue, assistant professor at UC Irvine who has written for The New Yorker, Harvard Magazine, and The Conversation. blogs.cornell.edu/asap/events-...

Join us in making a video that advocates for science using the hashtag #RootingForScience! We're releasing them en masse the week of June 23rd. To get you started, here’s a workshop I gave with @root-shoot.bsky.social about how to make videos for science advocacy: tinyurl.com/rootingforscience

An online, student-led symposium series. Planting the Seeds of Change: Communicating Science with a Purpose. Held May 13.

Did you miss last week's workshop? No fears, we recorded it for you! Please join us by making a video that roots for science and sharing it using "RootingForScience. We'll be releasing and amplifying the videos the week of June 23.
Learn more at
rootandshoot.org/make-a-video...

We've got another training session scheduled for May 30, it's a great way to prepare yourself to react constructively if you see harmful behavior. Free registration, all are welcome!
rootandshoot.org/bystandertra...

Join this upcoming workshop with @science-irl.bsky.social- Molly Edwards! Molly received a NAASC award in 2024 for her efforts to disseminate plant biology knowledge! (And…you can view that award talk here ➡️ youtu.be/Lyu_Kgifstc)

Inclusive Science Education Is Not Zero-Sum Including everyone in science education improves the scientific enterprise and is essential for the democratization of personal agency.

Inclusive Science Education Is Not Zero-Sum, by David Asai.
"As scientists and educators, we must insist that inclusion remains at our core. We know that inclusion and excellence are not mutually exclusive, and that an equitable future for all of us is possible." 👍 issues.org/inclusive-sc...

McClintock Letters Op-Ed Writing Workshop with NYT Reporter Clay Risen (zoom link below) - Cornell Advancing Science and Policy Club Learn from New York Times reporter Clay Risen about how to write an op-ed piece, to help you write your piece for the McClintock Letters Initiative!

Happening tomorrow (Wed 7 May) at 4 PM EDT. Join this free online workshop with New York Times reporter Clay Risen to learn how to write an Opinion article for your newspaper. All are welcome!
cornell.campusgroups.com/ASAP/rsvp_bo...

Join us for free, online, Bystander Intervention Training Workshops for plant scientists, presented by ADVANCEGeo Partnership. These interactive workshops help you recognize when & how to step in when you see problematic behavior.
All welcome but space is limited.
rootandshoot.org/2025-bystand...

Don't miss this free virtual workshop featuring #BSAmember, Molly Edwards! Learn about short-form video production and science communication.

Tuesday May 13th from 8-9am PDT, 11am – noon EDT.

For more information, and to register, visit: rootandshoot.org/planting-the...

Yes! The breakout room part won't be recorded, but the presentation by Molly will be recorded and shared after the event.

Planting the Seeds of Change: Communicating Science with Purpose. An online student-led symposium series, featuring Dr. Molly Edwards. We’ll discuss best practices for short-form video production, explore different formats and approaches, and workshop your own ideas for videos. You’ll come away with actionable steps for producing your own video that stands up for science, and we plan to stay in touch after the workshop ends to help each other amplify our videos when they come out. May 13th, 8-9am PDT / 11am - noon EDT. Open to all, come be a part of it!

Join us for an exciting Student Symposium workshop featuring Molly Edwards, PhD @science-irl.bsky.social. It's an interactive workshop on science communication, focused on short-form video production. May 13th 11am EDT.
More information & registration link here rootandshoot.org/planting-the...

Ranking Member Lofgren Urges NSF to Ignore Inflammatory Cruz Report, Releases Democratic Staff Report in Rebuttal | House Committee on Science, Space and Technology The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology

Ranking Member Lofgren Urges NSF to Ignore Inflammatory Cruz Report, Releases Democratic Staff Report in Rebuttal democrats-science.house.gov/news/press-r...

The UNESCO Action Group for Women in Science is hosting open discussions on three themes: Dismantling stereotypes through increased representation; Innovative educational strategies; & Policies that promote DEI in the work environment. Follow the link to participate
rootandshoot.org/unesco-actio...

Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) | GLAAD Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people.

March 31 is international Trans Day of Visibility.
Follow the link for resources from GLAAD and other organizations, including a free webinar, that can be used to support and raise awareness about transgender people.
glaad.org/tdov/

An online, student-led symposium series. Radicle Science. A teach-in for plant scientists organising for political impact. Plant science is political. Come join us for a discussion on plant scientists' involvement in politics throughout history and learn how you can play a role in today's political landscape. Featuring Dr. Kevin Bird. March 25th, 8-9am PDT , 11am- noon EDT. Open to all, come be a part of it!

Join us March 25th at 8am Pacific daylight time, 11am Eastern, for an online teach-in for #PlantSci entists organising for political impact.
Learn how you can play a role in today's political landscape!
Free registration at
rootandshoot.org/a-teach-in-f...