News
Careers in academia: the LGBTQ+ perspective.
23 April 2021
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people have often not been well represented in STEM careers. Academia should be an environment where sexuality and gender identity does not matter. Nevertheless, some LGBTQ+ scientists have faced discrimination. Last year, the Wellcome Trust commissioned Shift Learning to investigate research cultures*. The survey of over 4000 researchers revealed culture report 24% of respondents would not feel comfortable discussing LGBTQ+ identity discrimination in the workplace. Furthermore, 25% of LGBTQ+ participants who had experienced discrimination or harassment said this was due to sexuality. Therefore, often individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have opted to suppress their gender identity and sexual orientation, which is likely to negatively affect productivity and mental health. Sadly, LGBTQ+ individuals are also five times more likely to commit suicide (The TREVOR Project)**.
- Careers in academia: the LGBTQ+ perspective. 23 April 2021 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people have often not been well represented in STEM careers. Academia should be an environment where sexuality and gender identity does not matter. Nevertheless, some LGBTQ+ scientists have faced discrimination. Last year, the Wellcome Trust commissioned Shift Learning to investigate research cultures*. The survey of over 4000 researchers revealed culture report 24% of respondents would not feel comfortable discussing LGBTQ+ identity discrimination in the workplace. Furthermore, 25% of LGBTQ+ participants who had experienced discrimination or harassment said this was due to sexuality. Therefore, often individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have opted to suppress their gender identity and sexual orientation, which is likely to negatively affect productivity and mental health. Sadly, LGBTQ+ individuals are also five times more likely to commit suicide (The TREVOR Project)**.
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