When I see posts like this, I interpret it as an exorbitantly expensive vacation to the Great Barrier Reef. No one seriously interested in a career in marine biology should ever think of doing something like this. For $3000 you could live for months in the Caribbean doing volunteer work that will actually give you marketable skills. I think it's fine to advertise something like this but ethically it should be marketed to tourists, not aspiring biologists.
Even better would be to compensate people financially if you expect them to work. If your budget doesn't allow for that, adjust your expectations (shorter work days, less experienced field techs) and provide housing/a food stipend/other benefits. We need to do everything we can to ensure that careers in conservation are possible for people who don't come from wealth and wealthy nations. -Lara On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Annette Narzynski < [email protected]> wrote: > I am happy to see this being discussed. A similar discussion has recently > started in Coral List. Steven Carrion has made an interesting point about > the role that the listserv itself plays on these kind of posts. I think it > would also be valuable to discuss what aspiring scientists, professors, > researchers, and those involved in hiring can do regarding the issues > associated with positions like these. > > On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 9:08 AM, John Anderson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Very much agree with Steve's post here. Given the already high cost of >> university, this seems sheer exploitation. Is also a really interesting >> demonstration of the "charismatic megafauna " issue in conservation... >> >> On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 6:54 AM CARRION Steven <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> The whole "unpaid" vs "paid" vs "exploitative" internships discussion >>> has been discussed in ECOLOG before but I had to bring it up again after >>> seeing this post. >>> >>> A "research assistant" position wherein students have to pay a almost 3 >>> grand to participate in an activity less than a week? And this covers >>> accommodation and food? This amount of money is what people pay to go on >>> luxury cruises. This seems like it's a way to fund the organization's >>> research costs while being provided with freely given labor. Exploitative >>> is the nicest way I can put that. >>> >>> I don't think these types of posts should have a place on academic list >>> serv. or if they are included they should more accurately be called >>> for-profit/paid volunteering. >>> >>> Best Regards, >>> >>> Steven Carrion >>> University of Edinburgh >>> >>> > On Mar 23, 2017, at 1:16 AM, Lesley Douglas < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> > >>> > The Great Barrier Reef Whale and Dolphin Research Programme is led by >>> > Blue Planet Marine and operated in collaboration with the Cetacean >>> > Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at The University of Queensland, >>> > Australia. http://gbr.blueplanetmarine.com. >>> > >>> > Running from July to September 2017, there are opportunities for >>> > Research Assistants (RAs) to join the Programme. As a RA, you will work >>> > in an exceptional location with world leading scientists. You?ll be >>> > exposed to a variety of research techniques, including: the latest in >>> > genetic sampling; acoustic recording of social sounds and whale song; >>> > behavioural observations; video recordings; and photo-identification. >>> > You?ll be involved in data management, and in the day-to-day activities >>> > of the research vessels. >>> > >>> > The Programme is based on a live-aboard research vessel in and around >>> > the world-famous Whitsunday Islands. The aim of the Programme is to >>> > collect data on the breeding sub-stocks of south west Pacific humpback >>> > whales. These data are important because organisations such as the >>> > Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission don?t have >>> > enough information to make decisions on whether these breeding sub- >>> > stocks should be managed together or as separate populations. The IWC >>> > Scientific Committee has even identified the collection of these data >>> as >>> > highest priority research for these populations of whales. The >>> Programme >>> > is targeted, it?s scientifically robust, it?s relevant and >>> > it?s exciting. >>> > >>> > The Programme will: >>> > * Identify areas of the Great Barrier Reef that are most important >>> > for humpback whale breeding activities; >>> > * Gather information regarding the structure of the east >>> > Australian humpback whale sub-stock; and >>> > * Gain a better understanding of whale acoustic communication and >>> > the potential for anthropogenic impacts within the breeding grounds of >>> > the Great Barrier Reef. >>> > >>> > This is a great opportunity to: gain valuable experience and skills to >>> > further your career with marine mammals; make valuable connections with >>> > some of the world?s most respected humpback whale researchers; work on >>> a >>> > meaningful research programme; and experience one of the seven wonders >>> > of the natural world. >>> > >>> > * The participation fee for a six-day research trip is $2,995 >>> > Australian dollars, including tax. >>> > * The participation fee for a twelve-day research trip is $5,690 >>> > Australian dollars, including tax. >>> > >>> > If you pay on or before 14 April 2017, you?ll receive an early-bird >>> > discount of $300 Australian dollars off the Programme fee for each trip >>> > booked. >>> > >>> > The Programme fee covers accommodation and food aboard the research >>> > vessel. RAs are responsible for all costs associated with travel to and >>> > from the Programme. >>> > >>> > No prior experience is necessary and training will be provided. >>> > Preference will be given, however, to individuals involved in marine >>> > mammal science courses or related institutions and/or with prior >>> > volunteer marine mammal field experience. Places are limited to ten RAs >>> > on each research trip. >>> > >>> > To find out more about The Great Barrier Reef Whale and Dolphin >>> Research >>> > Project (including the dates of research trips) visit: >>> > http://gbr.blueplanetmarine.com or read the attached brochure. You can >>> > secure your place today by paying online. >>> > >>> > Best regards, >>> > Lesley >>> > >>> > Lesley Douglas, MSC. >>> > Marine Scientist | Nelson Office| Ph: +64 (0)27 631-9000 >>> <+64%2027%20631%209000> | >>> > Email: [email protected] | www.blueplanetmarine.com >>> > PO Box 3639, Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand >>> >>> -- >>> The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in >>> Scotland, with registration number SC005336. >>> >> -- >> John Anderson >> W.H. Drury Professor of Ecology/Natural History >> College of the Atlantic >> 105 Eden St >> Bar Harbor >> ME 04609 >> > >
