In addition to answering ecological questions, we are also interested in understanding the intersection of science and culture. As scientists, we recognize that the way we answer ecological questions is shaped by our backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. By determining these potential biases, we can answer questions more completely.

One area we have focused on is the interaction of gender and science (i.e., how gender affects the creation of scientific knowledge and how the culture of science is perceived). Working with collaborators Mary Wyer, Kristen Kostelnik, Deena Murphy-Medley, Nick Haddad, and Tom Wentworth, we reviewed major undergraduate ecology textbooks to determine to what extent they included women's scientific contributions and how extensively they discussed the intersection of culture and science. We also measured the impact this typs of course content on students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of classroom climate.