The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1972 paper by Niles Eldredge and Stephen J. Gould that introduced the concept of punctuated equilibrium to the fields of paleontology and evolutionary biology.

In honor of this anniversary, I am conducting a survey-based study to better understand how people define the concept of punctuated equilibrium and to what extent they use it in their research and teaching.

Anyone who is at least 18 years old and works or studies within paleontology or the biosciences is eligible to participate in this study.

You can access the online survey by clicking this link, which will take you to a secure Qualtrics website: https://bgsu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaEcRwVy0iDaMTQ

Clicking on the survey link will take you to a webpage, where you can read more about the study and then indicate whether you agree to participate in the research. I estimate that the survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Survey responses are anonymous—no personally identifying information is collected. Your decision whether or not to participate is also anonymous and will not affect your relationship with any group or organization. This study has been reviewed by my university’s Institutional Review Board and designated as “exempt” (Project No. 1920620-1).

I invite you to complete the survey yourself and also share this announcement within your professional networks. 

If you have any questions about the survey or the research project, please contact Peg Yacobucci.

Thanks very much for your consideration!

-From Peg Yacobucci, School of Earth, Environment & Society, Bowling Green State University