LGBTQ+ in STEM – Our Researchers Share their Stories
Published: 18 November 2021
Here at the CVR, we are highlighting the experiences of some of our LGBTQ+ researchers and collaborators in celebration of LGBTQ+ in STEM day.
In the past century, we have seen strides in inclusion and diversity across all STEM fields. It is with great pride that we can look back at the progress we’ve made at bringing underrepresented identities to the forefront of STEM discovery, from Nobel prize winners, to doctors, to students, to researchers and beyond.
Minority groups like the LGBTQ+ community have been present throughout history and have made huge contributions to STEM and other fields. Sadly, much of that history was lived in fear of discovery, societal rejection, and persecution. Thankfully, we’ve seen tremendous change and STEM has become a welcoming, respectful, and understanding place where LGBTQ+ people can thrive. This progress has been made possible by LGBTQ+ scientists and their allies sharing stories, promoting understanding, and fighting for acceptance.
However, we are still on the path of inclusion in STEM. By drawing upon the diversity available to us, we bring to the table new experiences, new ideas, new ways of thinking and forge a scientific community that is built for and represents everyone. Today sees the celebration of our LGBTQ+ colleagues and provides us the opportunity to celebrate their success and identity as members of both the LGBTQ+ and scientific communities. Keep reading to learn more about being an LGBTQ+ person in STEM from some of our CVR members and partners.
Ben Brennan (He/Him)
What does your work focus on?
“My Lab's research programme uses virological methods such as reverse genetics technologies and acarology to understand how clinically relevant pathogens are transmitted by ticks. We seek to understand how these viruses manipulate the different cellular environments in a tick or a mammal to sustain virus replication and cause disease. The lab is currently establishing the first live tick colonies in the UK for in vivo infection work at containment level 2 and 3 and has also embarked on a public engagement project aiming to raise awareness of ticks and tick-borne disease in Scotland.”
What would you like people to know about your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
"I've been extremely fortunate to have had supportive colleagues and PIs as I have progressed though my scientific career. This has made my experience of STEM (as a member of the LGBTQ+ community) a comfortable, engaging and safe space to develop as a scientist and person. "
Is there any advice or insight you'd like to provide to younger members of the community who may be looking at a career in STEM?
"Be yourself! Be yourself! Be Yourself! Science is a field that is truly global. You meet people from all over the world, from different countries, cultures and points of view. It's a great way to meet a truly diverse inclusive group of people."
Kelsey Davies (He/Him)
What does your work focus on?
“I am currently a Laboratory Technician in the Brennan Lab. Here I focus on maintaining and increasing the efficiency of rearing ticks, whether it's improving their feeding, cleanliness or their living conditions. They can be quite picky! I also aid in research in developing an effective methodology for screening ticks for tick-borne pathogens, whilst helping the team with whatever needs to be done in the laboratory.”
What would you like people to know about your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
“I am from a small village in the Swansea Valleys, meaning being openly gay did not seem like an option for me when I was younger. However finally discovering how supportive my family and friends were, gave me the confidence to be who I am today. This has definitely been reinforced by my experience in STEM in both university and industry, where I have been lucky to work in diverse teams who have upheld strong values of inclusivity, especially at the CVR.”
Is there any advice or insight you'd like to provide to younger members of the community who may be looking at a career in STEM?
“In no way should being a member of the LGBTQ+ community be a reason to disregard a career in STEM, or any career path for that matter. Schools, universities, businesses, and support groups should now be able to provide you with the help and resources you need if you experience any opposition based on your identity, if the need ever arises. With that said, just go for it and find what drives your passion in STEM! And when possible, find a supportive group of friends who accept you for who you are to help you along the way.”
Jordan Bone (He/Him)
What does your work focus on?
“The within- and between-host evolution of influenza viruses. Understanding how transmission bottlenecks affect the population dynamics and evolutionary patterns of pathogens.”
What would you like people to know about your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
“As a scientist, I definitely attribute some of my work ethic and goals to my identity as a gay man. Learning from an early age that the position of "outsider" grants a different perspective to the accepted mainstream encouraged my approach to research to explore different angles from the norm.”
Is there any advice or insight you'd like to provide to younger members of the community who may be looking at a career in STEM?
“Embrace the point of view being queer grants you, it is difficult to hold your ground but it is worth it.”
Matthew Sinton (He/Him)
What does your work focus on?
“My work focuses on host-pathogen interactions and understanding how the host maintains or loses homeostatic control in response to infection.”
What would you like people to know about your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have been fortunate in that most of my experiences have been positive. I have experienced microagressions over the years, and was assaulted once in a homophobic attack, but apart from those isolated incidents, I have been fortunate in feeling safe enough to be open about who I am. Within STEM, my experiences have been overwhelmingly positive, particularly over the past 10 years. Being an openly gay white man, I recognise the privilege that I am afforded within the LGBTQ+ community. I have tried to use this privilege to provide a platform to improve visibility and recognition of the many incredible members of the LGBTQ+ STEM community.”
Is there any advice or insight you'd like to provide to younger members of the community who may be looking at a career in STEM?
“It's becoming easier to find openly LGBTQ+ people in different STEM fields and so I would say that it's a great idea to reach out to people within the field you're interested in and have a conversation about their careers in STEM. It's a way of figuring out whether you will feel safe or isolated in that field/institute, as well as learning more about the career itself. If you have already decided on a career in STEM, still have a conversation with the people who are going to be running your course, or are going to be your supervisor and see if you feel comfortable with them.”
To find out more about LGBTQ+ in STEM and learn about some exciting events designed by and for the community, please visit The STEM Village and Pride in STEM.
First published: 18 November 2021
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