Public Statement of Commitment to
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

On 4 April 2022, the ASIH Board of Governors voted unanimously in support of the following statement:

The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) welcomes and encourages participation by all individuals regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical or mental differences, politics, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. We strive to cultivate a society built on collaboration, encouragement, tolerance, and mutual respect. The ASIH seeks to ensure a welcoming, safe, and accessible environment for all investigators. This environment includes physical, professional, social, and cultural settings at its scientific meetings and the virtual environment associated with its list server and all other electronic communications. Our intent is to create an inclusive environment where a diversity of people, ideas, and perspectives inspire our membership to advance scientific knowledge.

ASIH hereby publicly expresses our commitment to the goal of improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our Society and at our annual meetings by supporting the recommendations and initiatives of the ASIH DEIB (Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) to the best of our ability in 2022 and beyond. The ASIH has a mixed history with respect to diversity-related issues, and we must improve support for our colleagues holding identities that have been excluded or marginalized in the past. We pledge to collaborate with DEIB and work alongside our partner societies to prioritize efforts to realize this goal.