The IOOS Association is excited to announce the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Fellow for 2022: Ashley Peiffer!
IOOS is committed to improving diversity in the network and to service equity. While many efforts are underway, the IOOS community felt the need for a fellow to work full-time exploring ways to make the system more equitable, accessible, and inclusive.
Ashley received her master’s from Oregon State University in Marine Resource Management. Her graduate research focused on community engagement for fisheries in the Horn of Africa using qualitative data collection techniques, including work and study related to environmental justice. Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, she was a Science Educator for the Peace Corps in Tanzania where she worked with and lived in rural communities, developing close connections to community members and working with them to build capacity through securing grants and other resources. Her passion, experience, and skills are well suited for the Fellowship.
As the DEIA fellow, Ashley will work with the national network of RAs and the IOOS Office to:
- Amplify existing work being done at the regional and national level
- Identify opportunities to improve IOOS’ ability to serve and engage with underserved communities
- Support delivery of ocean and coastal information to diverse communities, and
- Build upon existing DEIA efforts, including with the development of recommendations.
We are very excited to have her on board – welcome to the IOOS community, Ashley!