Public Statement on Recent Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives On 10 February 2025, the ASIH Executive Committee voted in support of the following statement: 11 February 2025 The Executive Board of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) is concerned about recent turmoil at the United States federal governmental agencies established to promote the advancement of science. Many of our members are supported by federal funds in their scientific pursuits, and this funding is paramount for better understanding the diversity of our natural world. Inquiries into amphibians, reptiles, and fishes have resulted in major breakthroughs in the medical industry, serve as models for our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes, and have even been used to better prepare our armed forces for international conflicts. Federal funding has supported many of these endeavors. While we understand that funding models change over time, we adamantly condemn any model that does not incorporate cooperation between politicians and the greater scientific community. We also condemn any model that does not fairly provide funds to scientific investigators through peer review by experts in the scientific community. The suggested changes in governmental funding practices centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have resulted in confusion amongst members of ASIH, and the greater scientific community. The Executive Board of ASIH fully supports the idea that diversity and inclusivity of the scientific community leads to greater discoveries in ichthyological and herpetological research and ultimately strengthens us as a community of scholars. Similar to DEI initiatives at ASIH, these initiatives at the federal level are designed to foster and protect diversity in STEM education and research. We want to reaffirm our mission and commitment to all of you: ASIH condemns the recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initia…

Public Statement on Recent Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Sincerely,
the Executive Board of the ASIH (American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists) #TeamFish #TeamHerps #ASIH

www.asih.org/2025-asih-ex...