I think many people in STEM are aware that currently most teams, departments, or student populations are not reflective of wider society. But beyond just the numbers and percentages of different identities that make up a team we need to be listening to and acting on the actual experiences of those underrepresented groups. Continue reading Being an ally in STEM
Despite the existence of staff LGBTQ+ networks at a majority of universities, many LGBTQ+ identifying staff are not openly out in the workplace. It is hardly surprising that students find it difficult to be open about their sexuality when there is a lack of representation and supportive student-oriented networks. Continue reading Being Openly LGBTQ+ in STEM
James Brown, Biochemical Society
On the 1 May, the Biochemical Society will be at the opening film of the 18th London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film. Prior to the film, geneticist, microbiologist, comedian and all round good egg Dr Charlotte Mykura will be giving a talk which aims to separate the science from the fiction and explore how fact can be even more unexpected than film. The film in question is Chimera, a Sci-Fi horror in which (and I quote), “A brilliant but disturbed scientist’s children are in cryogenic suspension, while he races to cure their deadly disease by decoding the DNA of the immortal Turritopsis jellyfish. To progress he needs lots of stem cells. A manipulative millionaire can help but she has her own agenda!”
By Dorieke Grijseels, University of Sussex
Today (March 31) marks International Transgender Day of Visibility. This day is dedicated to showing the incredible diversity of the trans community. This community is often lumped together with the other parts of the LGBT+ community, but is unique in its challenges and achievements, which should be celebrated. Although we’ve got a long way to go, more and more trans people are getting positive representation in the media, be that actor Alex Blue, writer Juno Dawson or model Munroe Bergdorf. The question remains, where are all the trans scientists?
