Yvette Curtis
Profile
Yvette works at Surfers Against Sewage in a new role as their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager which involves looking at both their internal and external structures of the organisation and perceptions to ensure equal opportunities. she came to the organisation via the surf club for women and girls she began, called Wave Wahines where, after observing a lack of diversity she began advocating for the intersectional nature of women and girls from other marginalised communities with the marine space. having not studied at university, Yvette has since taken many courses looking at equity and barriers in sports, water-based sports and ocean conservation and also became an accredited surf therapy facilitator, working with resettled communities and women and refuges. Having grown her career organically Yvette is driven to facilitate real change with marine.
What inspired you to pursue a career in diversity and inclusion within the marine environment?
I entered the industry via the surf club for women and girls I began, called Wave Wahines. My eldest child was the force behind the surf club, they now identify as he/him/ they/them and so it really is that introduction that led me to my role.
During the immersion in surf culture and ocean literacy that came with that, I soon realised I was often the sole person of mixed heritage in the room and began advocating for the intersectional nature of women and girls from other marginalised communities within the marine space. I didn't study at university, but I have since taken many courses.
Spending so much time in and on the beach, it was impossible to not care about it's protection and it was unavoidable to see the damage we cause as humans, so it has always been important to me to leave the world in a better place than I found it and now I guess I can do that both personally and professionally.
How do you think increasing diversity in marine related careers could impact the future of this field?
I think it's exponential! Diverse groups of people will have such varying approaches and perspectives to issues and how to overcome them so you are more likely to have a wider range of knowledge, lived experiences and awareness of different drivers. For example, myself, as a woman of colour with heritage from Mauritius and Bangladesh (as well as the UK), I often follow the impact of climate, ocean and environmental issues that affect those countries and my extended family that live there in addition to the matters in the direct UK based lands and waterways. I think we underestimate the disproportionate impact these issues have on marginalised communities and the intersectional nature of them. When we ensure more communities are studying, working or volunteering in these spaces then we will inevitably see a difference in thinking and solutions. We just need to acknowledge the potential barriers to entry for different communities, and do what we can to remove them and enable others into this sector.
Within your professional career, what work are you most proud of?
Oh my goodness, I think just enabling more people especially women and girls to see the ocean space as a space for them is something I will never tire of but I am so proud of being in the role I am now at Surfers Against Sewage as I really see it as a moment of recognition and that celebrates all the barriers that I feel I have navigated to get here and to have an organisation back me in the way they do, really is a career high. So many moments though - I can't narrow it down! Getting a Blue Peter badge is also a moment of utter joy!!! (as a woman in my 40s!)
What are some of the most exciting innovations or breakthroughs happening in your area of work right now?
For me, it's the recognition of the barriers for some communities and the research that it going in to evidence those barriers and help design solutions. I think the sector is also realising the critical need for collaboration to be successful. We are all working towards cleaner waterways and ocean - we have a stronger voice as a unit!
What do you wish more young girls and women knew about pursuing a marine related career?
That there are multiple options, sciences are obviously one, but there are so many other career paths. I also think schools can play a part in that message from an early age and show those careers and those fields. Working in any field that supports the marine sector is so exciting as you are doing your bit to save the planet so what's not to love.
Imagine a future where our relationship with the ocean is completely transformed. What does that look like?
Like home!
