Madison Fitzgerald-Russell, Texas State University
Tues, 5/2/2023 from 3:30-4:30 pm CT
Avery 19 or via zoom at https://unl.zoom.us/j/96438025423
Title:
Queering STEM: Understanding Identities and Creating Spaces for Belonging in STEM For LGBTQ+ Individuals
Abstract:
In STEM, there remain a wide variety of barriers to the success of minoritized individuals, including underrepresentation of marginalized students and faculty, outright discouragement of marginalized students from pursuing STEM programs, and an expectation that STEM spaces should be apolitical or otherwise separated from the lives of individuals. STEM disciplines continue to be dominated by white, cisgender, heterosexual men, who determine the culture and environment of STEM fields and exclude LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/question, intersex, asexual/aromantic, pansexual, etc.) individuals intentionally or unintentionally. As research progresses in better understanding and improving STEM environments for LGBTQ+ individuals, including students, staff, and faculty, one barrier may come in the form of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing a disconnect between the environment individuals perceive and those they feel comfortable discussing with researchers. In order to improve the culture for LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM, it is important to meet them at their current level of understanding and comfort. The projects presented in this talk will explore the ways researchers can better understand current environments for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty in STEM and to prepare to make effective changes for inclusivity and equity in STEM. The first project examines students’ experiences in and perceptions of science environments and the ways their various personal and academic identities help to shape those perceptions. The second project continues ongoing work looking at the effectiveness of instructional change teams comprised of STEM faculty and staff, and this project will specifically explore how personal identities may impact the experiences of members of these teams.