The marine sciences continue to be a space where people of color navigate significant systemic barriers to entry and success. While 74.7% of today’s marine scientists identify as white, only 2.3% identify as Black.
Fortunately, trailblazers like Dr. Tiara Moore are challenging this status quo. Her work with Black in Marine Science (BIMS) is pioneering an important shift in diversity and inclusion within marine science and other STEM fields.
The ocean as a sanctuary
For Dr. Moore, the ocean is more than a subject of study; it is a sanctuary.
“The ocean always brings me a sense of clarity and belonging,” she says. “My relationship with the sea is deeply tied to Black culture. The ocean will always be the final refuge for many of my ancestors who chose to free themselves in the deep waters of the Middle Passage rather than endure a life of slavery.”
Dr. Moore was born in Philadelphia to a 17-year-old mother, who later faced incarceration. Raised by her emotionally distant grandmother in South Carolina, she found solace in books. Reading became her escape, fueling her imagination and providing hours of pleasure.
Her determination propelled her academic success. However, her journey was not without obstacles. At Hampton University, a historically Black college, most of her marine science professors were white. This highlighted the lack of diversity even in supportive environments.
As she advanced to postgraduate and postdoctoral studies, the issue became more pronounced. In many academic settings, she was often the only Black person in the room, emphasizing the systemic underrepresentation in her field.
“The higher I climbed academically, the more tokenization and racism I experienced,” recalls Dr. Moore. “Colleagues mistakenly asking me to get their coffee, carry their SCUBA gear, or point them to the restrooms highlighted the rampant bias around me. Over time, these incidents chipped away at my sense of belonging and worth.”
During her Ph.D. at UCLA, Dr. Moore faced a series of painful microaggressions. Her breaking point came when she was accidentally included in an email thread where her advisor questioned her academic abilities. This betrayal cut deeply, leaving her grappling with self-doubt and triggering a period of severe depression.
The emergence of BIMS
Dr. Moore’s journey toward healing involved therapy, family conversations, and a renewed commitment to her career. Ironically, her pivotal turning point came during the pandemic, which heightened awareness of systemic inequities.
