• Question: It's so refreshing and reassuring for me as part of the lgbtq+ community to see representation of us in the science sector :) How is it working in science and STEM being part of the community? Do you feel accepted and comfortable in your workplace? Coming from someone hoping to also work within the science sector !

    Asked by LiliL to Rebekah on 11 Jan 2022.
    • Photo: Rebekah Penrice-Randal

      Rebekah Penrice-Randal answered on 11 Jan 2022:

      Hello! Really pleased to see that you are hoping to get involved with science – that is fantastic!
      As long as you can accept who you are then nothing else matters!! I was lucky to have a very supportive family (my mom worked in lgbtq+ and I was around the community for as long as I can remember!!). I like to think people give me merit on my science as opposed to my identities anyway, although I have never had any problems! Sometimes it can be a little daunting as when you look towards the top of the chain there aren’t as many women or lgbtq+ role models, but I am sure we are changing that! 😀

Comments

  • Photo: Chris

    Chris commented on :

    Universities are very diverse communities, so you can find all sorts of people there, which is great.

  • Photo: Carys

    Carys commented on :

    I’m really glad you’re getting to see LGBTQ+ scientists here – there are a lot of us! I find universities are generally really diverse and progressive, and there are lots of societies and communities for LGBTQ+ students, scientists and people in other fields. In my work in the veterinary world I’ve felt at home too – in the vet practice I work at most often, there was a while when nearly half the employees were LGBTQ+!
    As Rebekah says, the number of diverse role models at the top of the academic tree isn’t huge at the moment, but we’re working on it.

    • Photo: LiliL

      LiliL commented on :

      Thanks for leaving a comment as well as anyone else who did ! 🙂 Diversity, equality and inclusivity is so important, especially coming into a new workplace. Looking forward to joining a great community and hopefully becoming a role model for people like me interested in this field !

  • Photo: Jennifer

    Jennifer commented on :

    Go for it, work in the science sector. Theres all kinds of colours here!