Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Step 1: @ScienceMarchDC releases a piece of #scicomm. It reproduces problems in science: sexism, racism, ableism, erasure of URM. #marginsci

Example #scicomm fail from women scientists, 27 Jan, 3 days after @ScienceMarchDC was established. Eg. https://twitter.com/choo_ek/status/824819538608869376 … #marginsci

Step 2: Minorities and White women respond to #scicomm problems, en mass, sometimes for days, while @ScienceMarchDC ignores. #marginsci

Hundreds of URM give @ScienceMarchDC scientific resources & expert advice on how to fix problem they created. Patiently explain #marginsci

Step 3: Problem with @ScienceMarchDC becomes so big that organisers can't ignore. They issue statement/retraction/revision. #marginsci

Also includes various media interviews where @ScienceMarchDC co-chairs & members unwittingly reinforce anti-diversity discourse. #marginsci

In media interviews a week after @ScienceMarchDC est. organisers show lack of understanding of sci history & diversity issues. #marginsci

Co-chairs fed into anti-diversity discourse saying march is not political & not about scientists. http://www.minoritypostdoc.org/view/2017-8-1-zevallos-MfSDiversityDiscourse.html … #marginsci

Step 4: Having finally reacted to critique by scientists, @ScienceMarchDC goes back into cycle, to produce next #scicomm problem. #marginsci

Cycle is repeated, sometimes within 24 hours. Barely a week goes by without a #scicomm fail by @ScienceMarchDC. #marginsci

Why does this cycle happen? From beginning, URM asked @ScienceMarchDC to work with experts to fill gaps in organisers' knowledge. #marginsci

URM asked @ScienceMarchDC to work with social justice activists; to get equity & diversity practitioners; to recruit experts. #marginsci

URM who have tried to break #scicomm issues by @ScienceMarchDC have stressed need for scicomm & media expertise. Eg. https://storify.com/othersociology/march-for-science-reproducing-inequality …

In fact, most URM encouraging inclusion for @ScienceMarchDC are #scicomm experts. Why do organisers resist this #marginsci advice?

No science organisation allows every member of committee to speak on behalf of the organisation. For good reason. @ScienceMarchDC #marginsci

Giving interviews & communicating via social media are specialist skills PLUS the message must stay "on brand" even for sci orgs. #marginsci

Despite one PR catastrophe after another @ScienceMarchDC has yet to control its public comms. So close to 22nd mistakes continue. #marginsci