蹤獲扦

Institutions: University of Lincoln (UK) and the California Academy of Sciences (USA).

Researchers: Prof. Belinda Colston and Prof. Abigail Powell (University of Lincoln), and Dr. Lauren Esposito (California Academy of Sciences).

Prof. Belinda Colston, the principal investigator on this project, said: "Our project looks at the impact of the cumulative effects of exclusionary working and learning environments on scientists who are minoritised within the LGBTQ+ community −  the LGBTQ+ scientists of colour working in white-dominated spaces − the LGBTQ+ women scientists of colour working in men-dominated disciplines and white-dominated spaces. By using this intersectional approach, we hope to build the evidence base to inform effective strategies for increasing retention for all LGBTQ+ groups in STEM.

"For centuries STEM professions have stereotypically been dominated by white, heterosexual men, creating a masculine culture with the expectation of heteronormative identity. If we are to meet our future global challenges then now is the time to transform this culture and allow all scientists to flourish."

Institutions: Queen's University Belfast (UK) and Purdue University (USA).

Researchers: Prof. Ioana Latu and Prof. Rhiannon Turner (Queen’s University Belfast), and Dr. Teri Kirby (Purdue University).

Prof Iona Latu, the principal investigator for this project, said: "Our project will offer evidence-based answers and solutions for creating safe environments for LGBTQ+ students and academics in STEM. By documenting how symbols of LGBTQ+ inclusion (rainbow flags, Pride participation, pronouns) are perceived depending on the inclusion climate, we will offer a nuanced understanding of how safe environments can be created and communicated effectively.

"LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies are not universally effective: their effectiveness depends on the departmental, institutional, and state/national inclusion climate. It is important to understand how these factors interact across different academic departments in order to best support LGBTQ+ academics and students."

Institutions: The University of Oxford (UK), Montana State University (USA) and the University of San Diego (USA).

Researchers: Prof. Bryce Hughes (Montana State University), Dr. Clara Barker (University of Oxford), and Dr Lisa Smith (Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, University of San Diego).

Prof. Bryce Hughes, the principal investigator for this project, said: "We know that the climate and culture in STEM are not welcoming to LGBT+ people, and we know that these conditions push LGBT+ people out of STEM fields, undermining efforts to diversify STEM. But most of this research comes from people who considered leaving STEM, yet ultimately stayed, and none has compared the experiences of LGBT+ people in STEM across different countries like the US and the UK.

"We hope our research will help demonstrate that if the health of the STEM workforce is vital to the economic relationship between our two nations, attrition of LGBT+ people from STEM due to systemic factors is a symptom of a problem in STEM that could undermine its robustness. In other words, policy that transforms the conditions in STEM to foster LGBT+ diversity, as well as other forms, enables STEM to maximise its benefits to society, helps LGBT+ STEM professionals to fulfil their personal potential, and strengthens the special relationship between the US and the UK.

"The RSC and SIN have emerged as leaders in fostering collaborations across the US and the UK to broaden the participation of LGBT+ people in STEM fields as an important building block to the economic ties between the two nations. Given our recognition of the need for transatlantic collaboration on research to improve understanding of how to transform STEM to better serve LGBT+ communities, this grant helps align our research goals with both the RSC and the SIN’s policy goals to reverse LGBT+ attrition from STEM in a public manner that will help draw attention to the importance of this issue.

"This grant represents yet another investment in the important goal of enabling LGBT+ people to participate authentically in the STEM workforce toward maximising the benefits STEM fields can offer the world."

Institutions: The University of Strathclyde (UK), the University of Manchester (UK), and Tufts University (USA).

Researchers: Dr Marco Reggiani (University of Strathclyde), Dr Jessica Gagnon (University of Manchester), and Dr Timothy Atherton (Tufts University).

Dr Marco Reggiani, the principal investigator on this project, said: "The LGBTQual+ project aims to have a substantial impact in the sector by improving understanding of the purpose and potential impact of qualitative and mixed methods research for developing transformative policies, practices, and interventions to enhance inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in STEM We will model good methodological practices and address existing knowledge gaps to gain an innovative, intersectional, and queer understanding of attrition and retention for LGBTQ+ scientists.

"Through our project, we hope to build a network of researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders for sharing best practices for delivering authentic change on LGBTQ+ inclusion in STEM.

"Equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM require critical and transformative approaches. Existing research, including our own, highlights institutional responsibilities to address inequities faced by LGBTQ+ and /or other historically underrepresented and marginalised individuals. This includes higher education institutions, funders, learned societies, and governments.

"The LGBT+ Inclusion in STEM Grant offers us tangible support to scale up work towards creating more inclusive STEM environments. The support of the RSC and SIN will be a crucial factor for the successful implementation of the project’s recommendations. We look forward to collaborating and enhancing equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people in STEM."

Institutions: Oxford Brookes University (UK), Quinnipiac University (USA), and the University of Missouri (USA).

Researchers: Dr. Cal Horton and Prof. Anne Laure Humbert (Oxford Brookes University), Dr. AJ Eckert (Quinnipiac University), and Dr. Quinnehtukqut McLamore (University of Missouri).

Dr Cal Horton, the principal investigator for this project, said: "The RSC and Science and Innovation Network-funded ASPIRE project seeks to understand and address the barriers trans people face in STEM careers. In a time of increasing precarity in both the UK and US, the research will consider the impacts of systemic discrimination and hostile climates on trans support and retention in STEM. The research aims to help ensure STEM disciplines can attract and retain trans talent, creating welcoming professions where trans people can excel."