To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we are excited to share a collection of blog posts showcasing the work of some of the BES community. In each post, they discuss their experiences in ecology, as well as what this year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, means to them.
Katie Field
Professor of Plant-Soil Processes
University of Sheffield, UK
What work do you do?
I am a Professor of Plant-Soil Processes in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. My research focuses on understanding the intricate interactions between plants and soil, particularly the symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi. I explore how these interactions shape plant physiology, influence ecosystem functioning, and respond to environmental change. Like most professors, my role is a mixture of research, teaching, and administration. I supervise early-career researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, manage research projects, and lead both lectures and practical field courses for undergraduate students. I’m passionate about fostering the next generation of scientists and helping them develop the skills to explore complex ecological questions. Alongside my academic work, I serve as a Senior Editor for the British Ecological Society journal Functional Ecology. I first joined the journal as an Associate Editor in 2013 and stepped into the Senior Editor role in 2020. My responsibilities involve assessing submitted papers at an early stage, determining whether they should move forward to peer review, need further development, or may be better suited for a different journal. This editorial work allows me to engage with cutting-edge research across a broad range of ecological topics, which I find both rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
How did you get into ecology?
I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world, but it was during my undergraduate degree in Plant Sciences at Durham that my interest truly took shape. I became captivated by plant biology—particularly how plants adapt to changing environments and interact with other organisms, especially those in the soil. The idea that beneath our feet lies a hidden world of complex interactions, largely invisible yet crucial to ecosystems, was something I found incredibly exciting. This curiosity naturally led me into the field of mycorrhizal research, where I discovered my true passion. Studying mycorrhizas allowed me to combine my deep interest in plant-biotic interactions with experimental design and fieldwork, uncovering new insights into how these mutualistic symbioses function and respond to environmental change and biotic pressures. More recently, I’ve become increasingly interested in how we can apply our understanding of plant-fungal symbioses to tackle some of today’s most pressing global challenges, such as climate change and food security. This has opened up exciting new areas of ecological research for me, and I’m eager to explore how this knowledge can be used to develop sustainable solutions for the future.
Who inspires you?
I’ve drawn inspiration and motivation from so many incredible ecologists and mentors who have shaped my journey in plant sciences and ecology. During my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to learn from truly inspiring individuals who set me on the path of plant ecology, ultimately leading me to mycorrhizas. My postdoctoral research was a pivotal time when I really found my footing as a scientist. Jonathan Leake played a major role in shaping my development – he taught me the importance and joy of critical thinking, experimental design, and analysis, while also deepening my fascination with the world beneath our feet. Another long-time inspiration and mentor has been David Read. I admire his constant curiosity and enthusiasm for new research ideas. His ability to spark innovative experiments, including one we recently published together with four ‘generations’ of mycorrhizal researchers, is something I truly value. Sally Smith was, and continues to be, a great source of inspiration. She was a remarkable leader and a generous supporter within the mycorrhizal research community. Her passing in 2019 was a great loss, but I deeply cherish our discussions, her invaluable feedback, and the advice she shared at mycorrhizal conferences over the years. Julie Gray is another person I find incredibly inspiring. She is not only a leading scientist managing a world-class research lab, but she is also a strong advocate for supporting others, particularly championing women in science. Her ability to balance her research leadership with other professional commitments and family life is something I truly admire. The collective wisdom, encouragement, and passion of these mentors have had a lasting impact on my career, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been influenced by them.
How do you think we could ‘accelerate action’ within ecology and science to move towards gender equality?
To ‘accelerate action’ towards gender equality in ecology and science, we need a multifaceted approach that actively removes barriers and fosters inclusivity. While progress is being made, we are still far from true equality. A crucial step is cultivating a research culture that supports the career development of all genders. This means implementing policies that promote work-life balance, mentorship programs, and fair opportunities for advancement. Addressing specific gender- challenges within research environments is also essential, as systemic biases continue to exist. One way to tackle these biases is through initiatives like the White Rose Gender Equality College, which works with international partners to share best practices and improve gender equality in academia. Recognising and celebrating the achievements of women in science is another powerful tool—visible role models can inspire future generations and reinforce the idea that success in ecology and science is not limited by gender.
Functional Ecology has taken steps to reduce bias in publishing through its double-blind peer review process, where both author and reviewer identities are concealed. Research has consistently shown that double-blind review can help reduce gender and other biases in scientific publishing whereas traditional peer review processes often see disparities in acceptance rates between male and female authors, possibly due to implicit biases. By ensuring a more impartial review process, Functional Ecology is contributing to a fairer scientific publishing landscape, which is a crucial part of broader efforts to advance gender equality in ecology.
