Season’s mis-greetings: why timing matters in global academia
Stop using ‘summer’, ‘winter’ and the rest when inviting researchers to events — it’s a small step, but it’s necessary and inclusive
Using Northern Hemisphere-specific seasonal language might not be inclusive to those in the Southern Hemisphere.Credit: Richard Drury/Getty
Hello from the Southern Hemisphere, where the days are getting longer and temperatures are rising. Yet, despite the clear signs of spring here, we find ourselves inundated with invitations to events that speak of fall or autumn, or newsletters announcing workshops that will run this coming winter. It leaves us wondering: are we invited at all into this season different from our own?
This curious oversight, in which seasons, instead of months, are used for scheduling, is especially puzzling in the scientific community — a group known for its precision and careful communication. Why do we, of all people, persist in relying on region-specific seasonal markers? What is even more baffling is that this takes place in our fields of weather and climate science, with little regard for how different things might be outside the Northern Hemisphere.
We have even come across a number of ‘global’ analyses that assume that June, July and August are summer months for the entire world. You’d think that this kind of mistake would’ve been caught early on, but no, it still happens.
So what exactly is a season? The answer depends on who you ask. Is it an astronomical season based on equinoxes and solstices (following the solar calendar), or a meteorological one that starts on the first of day of a month in the Julian calendar? Even the widely used Western constructs differ in their start dates and definitions. For example, in Australia, where we are based, it’s common to use the meteorological calendar and start our seasons on the first day of the month, whereas in North America, astronomical seasons are used — winter in the United States begins on the winter solstice (21 or 22 December).
And it’s not just a matter of temporal accuracy — many parts of the world experience wet and dry seasons that are not reflected in distinctions between summer and winter. And Indigenous communities often use seasonal calendars that align with their local environments, reflecting a deep connection with nature’s cycles.
To address these issues, here are some recommendations.
Avoid naming seasons for events or communication. This might not be an issue when inviting researchers from a single country, but it’s crucial if you’re trying to attract an international audience.
Provide specific dates and months. Even saying “summer (Northern Hemisphere)” implies the Euro–American-centric approach. The simple use of a month instead removes any confusion.
Respect work–life balance consistently around the globe. It’s well-known that August is often avoided for events owing to European holidays. Let’s extend the same courtesy by steering clear of scheduling major events in January, when many in the Southern Hemisphere are on holiday, and many in the world are celebrating the lunar new year.
Adjust global analyses to account for hemispheric differences. If you’re researching summer heat or winter cold, make sure to use the appropriate months for each hemisphere. Failing to do so leads to flawed analyses and skewed results.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03245-0
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This story originally appeared on: Nature - Author:Melissa Hart
