Grad students clearing barriers to field work for BIPOC undergrads

Field work can be a gamechanger for undergrads.

But it’s also prohibitively expensive for students on tight budgets and overwhelming if they’ve spent little time outdoors.

Reta Meng and Angelina Abi Daoud can relate. For Reta, a three-week stint at the Long Point Bird Observatory was “an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience” that put a serious strain on her finances. And as a field work novice, she suffered acute cases of imposter syndrome and homesickness.

For Angelina, summer field work was never an option. From the start of May to the end of August, she helped out at her father’s pizza shop back home in Nova Scotia.  “Doing field work unlocks great summer jobs but if you can’t do the field work, you can’t get those jobs.”

Both also had to take a pass on undergrad field work courses.

Missing out motivated Reta and Angelina to start the McMaster chapter of Field Research in Ecology and Evolution Diversified (FREED). Launched by graduate students at the University of Toronto and Western University, FREED is a grassroots organization that removes barriers to field work for Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized undergraduate students who face the added barrier of historical and ongoing marginalization in science, technology, engineering and math.

All FREED excursions are free, with students receiving bursaries and subsidies for accommodations, equipment and transportation. “I wish FREED had been around at McMaster when I was an undergraduate,” says Angelina.

FREED’s a passion project for Reta and Angelina who already have more than enough work on their plates – Reta’s a PhD candidate in Biology with the Chow-Fraser Lab while Angelina’s a graduate student in the School of Earth, Environment and Society (SEES). They’re serving as the founding co-directors with support from Mac grad Whadia Khwaja who handles finances, PhD student Libby Tunney who manages logistics and Eliza Ritchie and Amber Chanthavong who serve as undergraduate student ambassadors.

“FREED’s mission aligns completely with my core values,” says Angelina. “Making a real difference in people’s lives is deeply fulfilling.”

Last year, Reta and Angelina organized a week-long excursion for 15 McMaster and University of Guelph BIPOC students to the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station. This summer, they’re bringing 10 McMaster Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized undergrads to Valens Lake Conservation Area for a week.

Last year’s excursion featured field work and naturalist skills-building workshops, including a Turtle 101 workshop by Reta, a “Geology Rocks” workshop by Angelina and sessions on how to pitch a tent, build a bonfire and paddle a canoe (courtesy of Alecia Golding and Darci Burtch with Paddle Like a Girl). Students also went on a guided plant medicine and moon walk with Christine Luckasavitch, Omàmìwininì Madaoueskarini Anishinaabekwe (a woman of the Madawaska River Algonquin people) from Waaseyaa Consulting.

There’s no pressure on “FREEDlings” to collect data, there’s no grading or assignments and student to supervisor ratios are kept low. “It’s an experience where students feel safe and supported in every way possible from start to finish,” says Reta.

Along with building skills and confidence, FREED builds community by connecting undergrads with BIPOC grad students, young professionals, faculty sponsors and potential employers from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations and conservation organizations who also deliver workshops. Last year, faculty members Léa Ravensbergen and Susan Dudley plus University of Guelph’s Joey Bernhardt and Edeline Gagnon made the trek to Algonquin Park. This year, Biology’s Emily Choy, SEES’ Elli Papangelakis and Adrianne Lickers Xavier from Indigenous Studies have signed on as faculty sponsors.

“It takes a village and there are many fingerprints on this program to make it a resounding success,” says Reta.

While it’s incredibly rewarding, Reta and Angelina say FREED comes with two big challenges. Last year, 55 students applied. Reta and Angelina wish that every student who applies gets accepted but fiscal constraints cap enrolment. For now, they rely on a rubric to identify the applicants who’ve had limited research opportunities, face the biggest barriers and would stand to benefit the most from FREED’s programming.

And unlike FREED chapters at other universities, the McMaster University chapter has yet to find a permanent home – that hampers Reta and Angelina’s fundraising efforts.

“We want FREED excursions to remain an annual tradition for as many BIPOC students as possible here at McMaster,” says Reta. “It’s such a great way to introduce undergrads to field work and give grad students the opportunity to give back.”

Applications for the 2025 FREED excursion are due by March 10.