I am a gender non-conforming/queer gay geochemist and environmental mineralogist, originally from the Netherlands, but since 2008 based in the UK and since 2016 in Scotland. Throughout my career at multiple institutes I have been involved in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees. Also, at these institutes I have always been open about being gay, and subsequently I have experienced (and noticed) the best and the worst in dealing with (and rewarding) diverse staff and students. I found it specifically unsettling that some of the worst behaviour has come from senior academics who “shout” about their activities to increase diversity within academia. This has ranged from proposing only male academics for advisory boards, to telling (me) to just hide being gay and gender non-conforming when visiting the UAE. Since, by being open about my struggles to others, I have also become much more aware of the disadvantages experienced by other minoritised communities. Because of my own experiences and the stories others have told me, I have become more invigorated to actually achieve meaningful and lasting change within academia (and the geosciences specifically), not just with respect to sexuality and gender identity, but also as an (active) ally to ethic/racial minorities. I hope by being an active member of the EAG DEI Committee I can help to achieve this goal.
Eva is a Reader (Associate Professor) in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, UK. She obtained her PhD in Earth Sciences and Astrobiology at the University of Washington, Seattle, before joining the University of California Riverside as a NASA postdoctoral fellow. Her research focuses on the origin an early evolution of life on Earth and implications for constraining the habitability of other worlds. She uses a combination of field work, laboratory experiments, geochemical analyses and models to develop biosignatures and reconstruct biogeochemical cycles through Earth history.
As the child of immigrants/refugees who fled Pakistan for Germany due to religious persecution as Ahmadi Muslims, I've intimately experienced the complexities of adapting to a new culture while being part of a minority. My parents, especially, faced immense hurdles in establishing themselves in an unfamiliar land, lacking many of the opportunities I later had access to. Growing up as a Muslim in Germany, I've navigated the unique intersection of my faith and cultural identity, which has profoundly shaped my worldview.
As a Muslim, I hold a deep conviction in the principles of mutual respect across all lines of ethnicity, gender, and faith, and in the harmony between science and faith. In the realm of geosciences, I have observed a noticeable gap in representation for academics who practice a certain faith, particularly Muslim scholars. This lack of representation is a concern I am eager to tackle in my capacity as a DEI committee member at the EAG. My goal is to bridge this divide, ensuring that the geoscience community is as diverse in faith and belief as it is in other aspects, fostering an environment where all perspectives are valued and contribute to the richness of scientific discourse.
I am an experimental mineralogist and geochemist. I did my PhD at the Complutense University of Madrid, spent 3 years as a postdoc at the GFZ in Potsdam, and have recently returned to Madrid as an Assistant Professor of Crystallography and Mineralogy.
As a white, European, LGBT man raised in a very progressive environment, I have been lucky enough to live my sexuality openly and without much friction. That comfort, though, has made me more aware — not less — to how colleagues from different backgrounds navigate the same spaces with far fewer advantages, or how people who truly regard themselves as progressive have a very outdated concept of diversity.
I also care deeply about something that’s slipped out of many DEI conversations: socioeconomic background. Academia still has a long way to go in recognising and breaking down the barriers faced by people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I am a mineralogist/geochemist from Germany, using interdisciplinary approaches to further our understanding of accessory minerals. Having lived with a chronic illness/physical disability for most of my live I became painfully aware how much work still needs to be done to create an accessible and inclusive environment for everyone. Through my involvement in DEI work, I learned more and more about other people's struggles due to their race/ethnic background, gender, LGBTQ+ identities, disability or neurodivergence, amongst others. Following the quote of a famous German author: there is nothing good unless you do it, I am determined to facilitate meaningful changes to create a more inclusive and equitable community for all. In doing so, I aim to highlight intersectionality and foster an environment where we can all learn from each other.
I am an early-career biogeochemist with international research experience across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Having immigrated and started anew to pursue my academic career, I have navigated various cultural, societal, and scientific systems. My life journey has added to my experience and understanding of the caveats and challenges of this path, further motivating me to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Therefore, I aim to help build and equip a more supportive geoscience community that facilitates integration, representation, and access for women, immigrants, underrepresented communities, and specifically for scientists who live and work with disabilities and health conditions. I believe that a strong scientific community is one where structural barriers are reduced, biases are addressed, diverse backgrounds are valued, and scientists are given equitable opportunities to belong and thrive.
Mohammad Nooraiepour is a Senior Researcher in Environmental Geosciences at the University of Oslo, working at the crossroads of geochemistry, reactive transport in porous media, and subsurface CO₂/H₂ storage. Mohammad is an advocate for member-driven, bottom-up initiatives that promote inclusivity, support underrepresented groups, and advance equal opportunities, with a particular focus on PhDs and early-career researchers.
I am an isotope geochemist specializing in early Earth research, with expertise in various radioactive and stable isotope systems. Originally from India, I have been working in Europe for the past eight years, gaining experience in both scientific research and international work environments.
My journey in science has been shaped by determination and the support of my parents and close well-wishers. Coming from an Indian family that paved their own journey, I navigated societal expectations that often place limitations on women’s career ambitions. In addition to these challenges, persistent effort was essential to integrate into both international life and professional environments. Through these experiences, I have developed a strong understanding of the barriers faced by budding scientists from underrepresented or patriarchal communities. I believe that being a scientist is not just about my research, but is also about uplifting those facing systemic barriers to follow their science. With my efforts, big or small, I strive to bring an international environment where diverse voices and perspectives are valued.
I am an experimental petrologist from Italy. Currently, I am based at the University of Münster in Germany, where I have been working since 2018. My research interests include investigating volatile-bearing systems and the mass transfer operated by fluids and melts under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.
As a white, cisgender woman, I acknowledge the privileges that have helped me throughout my academic journey, including access to free higher education and the opportunity to study in different European countries. However, I am also aware of some of the struggles that women face in academia, such as gender bias and the challenge of balancing family and work responsibilities.
In an effort to contribute to creating a more diverse, equal, and inclusive academic environment, I have joined the DEI committee. I am passionate about promoting these values and confident that my service on the committee can make a positive impact.
