Today is the International Day of LGBTQ+ People in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). November 18th marks the anniversary of astronomer and gay activist Frank Kameny’s decade-spanning Supreme Court fight against homophobic workplace discrimination in the US, and as a result organisations across the world have chosen this day to shine a light on the amazing work and barriers faced by LGBTQ+ workers in STEM, and the Trust is no exception.
Whilst immense progress has been made in recent years on making STEM a more inclusive place to work, we all still have a long way to go. It is well known that LGBTQ+ staff and students can face many challenges at work, such as discrimination or exclusionary behaviour.
A recent 2019 report by the Institute of Physics, Royal Astronomical Society, and Royal Society of Chemistry found that 28% of LGBTQ+ staff in STEM have at some time considered leaving their jobs, compared to just 16% of heterosexual staff, with LGBTQ+ staff reporting exclusionary behaviour approximately 10% more than their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues(1), (3). A 2018 study also highlighted that gay and bisexual university students are 7% less likely to stay in STEM careers than non-LGBTQ+ students(2).
Some readers may question the relevance of this day to the Trust – after all, what does anyone’s identity have to do with our aim to conserve game and wildlife in the wider countryside? We develop research designed to deliver sound conservation that can sit alongside sustainable, economic land use - but progress in science relies on fresh ideas, new approaches, and a willingness to look at problems from a different perspective.
Supporting an inclusive workforce can help achieve this through bringing people together with alternative experiences and backgrounds and fostering a safe environment for staff and students alike to focus on doing their best work. As a research organisation, it is imperative that we let LGBTQ+ staff and students know that there is a future for them here at the Trust, no matter who they are.
To try and do this, we recently set up a workplace LGBTQ+ network and aim to create a safe environment where all employees are comfortable to be themselves. We believe this is critical to future innovation in order to drive our continued excellence and long-term sustainability within the rural sector.
References
1. Dyer, J., Townsend, A., Kanani, S., Matthews, P., Palermo, A., Farley, S. & Thorley, C. (2019). Exploring the Workplace for LGBT+ Physical Scientists: A report by the Institute of Physics, Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Society of Chemistry.
2. Hughes, B.E. (2018). Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students. Science Advances, 4:3.
3. Cech, E.A. & Waidzunas, T.J. (2021). Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM. Science Advances, 7:3, 933–948.