Building Research Community
I am committed to fostering collaborative and inclusive research environments in STEM—particularly within Oceanography, Engineering, and Robotics. In many professional settings, I’ve found myself navigating challenges related to visibility and participation. These experiences have shaped how I approach team dynamics, communication, and leadership.
This page offers resources that support ethical engagement, professional development, and healthy research culture.
All resources are provided to support professional development and collaborative research practices. Materials are open to all individuals and do not promote or imply preferential treatment based on personal characteristics.
Links to useful articles and tools
Understanding Workplace Dynamics in STEM and Beyond
This article by Joe Pinsker explores how subtle, unwritten norms in elite professions—like architecture, broadcasting, and engineering—can advantage individuals from affluent backgrounds. Drawing on research by sociologists Daniel Laurison and Sam Friedman, the article examines how cultural familiarity, informal mentorships, and workplace expectations shape access and advancement. While focused on the U.K., the findings resonate broadly, offering insight into how professional environments can unintentionally reinforce inequality.
Navigating Research Culture: Fieldwork, Team Dynamics, and Progress in Oceanography
This article from Eos discusses how professional fieldwork settings in oceanography continue to evolve in terms of participation and team interaction. It highlights ongoing challenges and opportunities for cultivating respectful collaboration in remote and demanding research environments.
My first research cruise offered a vivid lesson in team dynamics and perception. During deck orientation, the Bosun questioned whether the women in our science party would be working on deck—a moment that revealed assumptions not applied to our male colleagues. Over time, mutual respect grew, but not every situation allows for that shift. This article resonates with those early experiences and reminds me that while progress has been made, challenges remain embedded in the culture of fieldwork.
Fostering Engagement and Voice in Professional Environments
Scientific progress depends on open exchange and rigorous evaluation of ideas and data. When individuals in a research environment are unable to contribute fully, the quality of collaboration and innovation suffers. Structural factors can limit participation, and addressing those limitations strengthens the effectiveness of scientific teams. Studies have shown that broader engagement across backgrounds and experiences enhances the excellence and impact of scientific work.
Three Strategies For Introverts to Speak Up in Meetings
This article offers valuable strategies for understanding meeting dynamics and enhancing participation in professional settings. While it focuses on general communication styles, the challenges described here may be amplified for individuals navigating environments where structural or interpersonal factors limit visibility and voice.
Workplace Culture and the Influence of Unwritten Norm
This article by Rodger Dean Duncan in Forbes explores how informal expectations—often unspoken—shape workplace behavior and outcomes. These “unwritten rules” can influence everything from communication styles to perceptions of professionalism, often more powerfully than formal policies. The piece encourages readers to observe cultural cues and reflect on how organizational values are enacted in practice.
It took me a long time to recognize that feeling unwelcome doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn't be there. Those are distinct experiences—and understanding that difference has helped me navigate workplace dynamics with more clarity. This article helped me name some of the invisible norms that shape how people interact and collaborate, often in ways that aren’t formally acknowledged.