The Trip to Panama
Panama is a truly beautiful place. That’s what biologists Daniela Rößler and Nadja Geiger thought during and after their research stay there in early 2024, which was funded by the Zukunftskolleg.
Because the impressions – photos and videos as well as interviews with female researchers in Panama – that they had gathered during their stay were so breathtaking, they decided to present them to the general public. This is how the idea of a multimedia exhibition in the library of the University of Konstanz was born, which took place in June.
“Nature is truly wonderful and arouses curiosity in all who earnestly seek to understand it.”
Maria Sibylla Merian
Nadja Geiger and Daniela Rößler opening the exhibition.
Daniela Rößler and Nadja Geiger’s aim with the exhibition was “to invite everyone to take a moment to connect with and observe the natural world. The photos and videos showcase animals in their natural habitat, just being, providing a calming and immersive experience: join us in discovering the intersection between nature, science and curiosity and in celebrating the female perspective. We dive into the Panamanian rainforest, highlighting inspiring women who study it and the diversity of animals living there as well our own research on spider sleep.”
Two things were particularly important to the biologists: firstly, to emphasise and highlight the importance and situation of women in academia, which is why they interviewed only female researchers in Panama.
“Women are extremely underrepresented, especially in the field of wildlife photography and videography (approx. 19:1, https://www.harpersbazaar.in/culture/story/5-female-wildlife-photographers-share-their-experiences-of-battling-sexism-565297-2023-04-12),” reports Daniela Rößler. “The argument here is often that the conditions for this work are ‘too difficult’ for women.” Women from South American countries also have a much harder time in the academic world: lack of access to sources of funding, lack of secure and stable jobs, lack of structural support.
This female focus gave the exhibition its name: Natural HERstory
Secondly, precisely to support female scientists and disadvantaged researchers, the exhibited pictures were auctioned, and the revenue donated to a good cause: Animal Behaviour Collective Microgrants – a collective of animal behaviour researchers that organises microgrants and mentorships for undergraduate and graduate students in the field of animal behaviour.
The microgrants of the Animal Behaviour Collective enable students – regardless of their nationality – to receive financial support in an uncomplicated way with no questions asked (https://opencollective.com/animal-behaviour-collective). From the proceeds of the auction – a total of 1600 GBP – a separate (“Natural HERstory”) grant was made available, which is explicitly for women and people from historically marginalised groups.
At the opening of the exhibition on 4 June, Professor Barrett Klein from Wisconsin (https://www.pupating.org) gave an insight into “A Celebration of Art & Science by Women”, presenting women who have successfully combined art and science.
Barrett Klein gave an insight into “A Celebration of Art & Science by Women”.
“Inspired by the women we have met during our own fieldwork (from interns to students, technicians, PhD students and postdocs) – who work under such conditions day after day and love this work – we want to paint a different picture of women in wildlife / nature / science.” > Keyword: Breaking Stereotypes & Female Perspective
“With our exhibition, we want to give their voices a platform – and at the same time share the passion for their work in the tropics.”
