Media Appearances - Dr. Chelsea Gray

Science communication and outreach are very important to me. I take every opportunity to discuss important issues in environmental science.

Videos
Podcasts

Videos

Sharks Unknown with Jasmin Graham

I was interviewed on the PBS Digital Studio’s series “Sharks Unknown with Jasmin Graham“. Definitely check out the rest of the episodes and the work of Minorities in Shark Science.

Plastic Pollution and Zooplankton

I was featured in a video highlighting the impacts of marine debris on aquatic organisms. Originally, this was a grant for in person activities, but obviously COVID-19 changed all that. My co-star Dr. Cindy Smith and I had a great time filming this.

Elasmoweek

The Irish Basking Shark Group was recently featured on Elasmo Week. For the first time since COVID started, I was able to talk about my research. Swimming Head Productions did a fantastic job on short notice.

Podcasts

Wild About Conservation

I discuss my PhD research with the fine hosts of the Wild About Conservation Podcast. We discussed basking shark ecology, their conservation status, individual based modeling, and the importance of ensuring that scientific research is useful for policy. If you are interested in learning more about modeling and model use in policy, this is the podcast for you.

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/wildaboutconservation/episodes/Wild-About-Basking-Sharks-with-Chelsea-Gray—S2-E11-e1a0r25

Basking Shark Tourism:

I discussed my thesis research with the fine folks at Marine Conservation Happy Hour. We discussed social science research and the results of my Master’s Thesis.

Social Science Field Work in Ireland with Chelsea Gray (2019). Marine Conservation Happy Hour, Episode 92. https://marineconservationhappyhour.libsyn.com/mchh-92-social-science-field-work-in-ireland-with-chelsea-gray.
Viability of Basking Shark Ecotourism with Chelsea Gray (2019). Marine Conservation Happy Hour, Episode 92. https://marineconservationhappyhour.libsyn.com/mchh-93-viability-of-basking-shark-ecotourism-with-chelsea-gray.

Women’s Safety in Academia

In 2020 I was featured on an episode of Speak up for Blue, because in January I testified for HB913 before the Virginia House of Delegates Post Secondary and Higher Education Subcommittee.

I contacted my state delegate, Dan Helmer, in November 2019, because I was and am deeply concerned about the way my university mishandled my Title IX complaint against a fellow graduate student. As I describe in the podcast, little was done to help me feel safe at my place of work and study, even as the university needlessly dragged the investigation out over six months. For the entire investigation, I told no one at the university. This silence left me isolated and miserable. I even doubted if I would be able to graduate.

Testifying in Richmond gave me my voice back.

It was a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience, and I’m thrilled to note that the bill passed. Delegate Helmer has promised he will continue strengthening protections for students and I feel relieved that my voice has resulted in something that can help other people.

While I wish I had been able to talk to Andrew Lewin about my research, I am so thankful he provided a platform for me to discuss my experience and express my concerns. I hope that telling my story will allow other scientists to know they’re not alone, and also compel scientists and organizations to become more proactive about their harassment and discrimination policies. There’s a lot of room for improvement when it comes to sexual assault and harassment in STEM. I hope I get people thinking, talking and making changes.

Following my assault, I seriously considered leaving science forever. Since being honest about my experiences, I have been honored and humbled by the incredible supportive response from the marine science community. I am so thankful to be able to do what I love surrounded by such amazing people.

I have since been on two other podcasts, discussing these and related issues:

Graduate School in Conservation and Sciences (2020). The Guide To Mindful Conservation: Dancing In Pink Hiking Boots. https://pinkboots.libsyn.com/graduate-school-in-conservation-and-sciences-advice.
Using Nature To Heal Traumatic Experiences (2020). The Guide To Mindful Conservation: Dancing In Pink Hiking Boots. https://pinkboots.libsyn.com/using-nature-to-heal-traumatic-experiences.
Protecting the Safety of Women Within Academia with Chelsea Gray (2020). Speak Up for Blue, Episode 971. https://www.radio.com/media/audio-channel/sufb-971-protecting-the-safety-of-women-within-academia-with-chelsea-gray.