Marine Science Extraordinaire
Tiffany Barber
Hello. I am Tiffany. I was born and raised on Chumash and Tongva territories and lands also known as South Central, Los Angeles, California. I am a first-generation college student. I am a Black woman in the field of science. I am multilingual: maintaining English and practicing Spanish, Japanese and American Sign Language (ASL). Through my lived experience and continuous education, I will continue to receive the proper training and experiences I need to reach my career and personal goals to contribute to a more equitable and just society. I am a dedicated and passionate science educator who is driven not only to educate our future leaders, but to make sure that underserved communities know that they too can participate in changing our environment and that science is also for them.
The Community
Community means support and belonging. It also means home. Home can be a person, a place and/or thing. Community means to me a group of people that have similar interests and wish for the success of the present and future generations.
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Community is part of who you are and sometimes you have to search for it. I am part of the Black community, martial arts community , eating/ traveling groups, and watching anime groups. I enjoy eating and trying different foods, criticizing ocean/marine films, watching anime, reading manga, crocheting flower wreaths, binge watching dramas, traveling (when I can), swimming, and making task lists.
The Environment
Environmental education, to me, consists of creating opportunities for people to engage with the environment near home and beyond. The environment is what you see and come in contact with every day and beyond. We are shaped by our surroundings. My life experiences have led me to speak up and fight back against issues affecting people like me and other vulnerable communities. My commitment to racial equality, diversity, and inclusion is very important to me and plays a large part in why I do the work I do. I may not change the world, but I guarantee I can spark the mind of someone who may one day change the world.
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What does a environment for success look like?
While attention to diversity (variety) is important, it is even more critical to address equity (fairness or justice), since racism is fundamentally about power. Racial equity is not just the absence of discrimination but also the presence of values and systems that ensure fairness and justice. Celebration of identity and self-reflection lead people to thrive. I will contribute to spaces that co-create success, spaces that nurture and challenge, spaces that increase engagement (relatability) and motivation.
The Science
Science to me is about using your own experience to understand the world and your relations to it. Science is being curious, investigating, asking questions, having knowledge, wisdom, problem solving, making mistakes. Yes, there are types of science that require certain schooling and degrees. Most science is learned from life. Even though one science may be called the dominant science or right science that does not devalue all science and practices to understand the world and thrive. People will not be silenced and their histories and cultures will not be forgotten or appropriated any longer.
It’s important to create opportunities for people who are from marginalized, underrepresented, and vulnerable communities for equity and equality. I wish for people I interact with during my career to feel empowered when building new connections to nature, seeing themselves represented and adding/ recovering their stories and changing the narrative.
What is representation? Adding your story: what would you tell or share with people that you are passionate about? What are you a champion for? How does it feel to be heard and seen? When you are outdoors who do you see? What does nature mean to you? Do you have time and a place to go outdoors and enjoy?