Member Stories
In sharing our experiences, we give greater visibility to underrepresented parts of our community. If you would like to share your story, please get in touch with the BES ALDER Network.
Pride Month
The BES journal blogs publish a blog series called Rainbow Research in celebration of UK Pride Month. View the 2022 celebration here and the 2021 series here.
Eden Plummer
A Black Person’s Experience of BLM, Ecology, and Intersectionality
“Seeing no support in the profession I’m dedicating my life to is absolutely soul crushing, and it’s going to take an uprooting of the system to change that”
Scott Xavi Gudrich
“This article has been a long time coming… I am a Marine Scientist, the gender I live in is different from the one assigned to me at birth.
“How can we support those still struggling with their transition if we remain invisible?”
Jessica & Chloe Robinson
“We were two of only a handful of people who openly identified as being LGBTQ+ in the College of Science, let alone our Biosciences department. We were aware to keep our relationship quiet at first … We are lucky that our experience of coming out in STEM was good for both of us and this acceptance allowed us to relax into our true selves within a work environment, which is really important for overall well-being.”
Vishwadeep Mane
“I am very fortunate to have colleagues who accept me with my identity. It is an immense pleasure to come out to people and to be embraced with my own identity.
“As an LGBT+ person, I have not faced so much discrimination at least visibly. However, I know of people being bullied for the same in India.”
Daniel Hoffman
“[A mentor] encouraged me to present our research at several conferences, and though I wasn’t surprised, I was also disappointed that there weren’t any (to my knowledge) out LGBTQ+ scientists to look up to.
“Despite having amazing professors to learn from and with, the same was true in my home department at my university.”
Hal Halvorson
“I have learned how the vulnerability of living openly helps me connect more deeply and personally with students and colleagues.
“I have learned courage to find my own voice and speak difficult truths to others.”
LGBTQ+ STEM Day 2020
In this blog post celebrating LGBTQ+ STEM Day 2020, MEE Associate Editor Chloe Robinson discusses the current state of LGBTQ+ visibility in the STEM workplace, and what can be done to make it more inclusive.
Lewis Bartlett
“Navigating both the wilds of the outdoors and the savage wilderness of academia can be fraught with challenges for the proverbially glittered.
“One of the most challenging but most worthwhile accomplishments of my PhD was learning to weaponise my gayness.”
Iain Stott
“I’ve often chosen not to apply for jobs based in places I know to be hostile to gay people.
“I hope I can one day be the Professor in the back of the minibus, proud of my students… and covered in glitter.”
Joe Nunez-Mino
“Those of us who are from minority groups who are not immediately visible will need to be more explicit and vocal about who we are.
“We are often found promoting the diversity of life, it’s just as important that we also celebrate and increase the diversity of people in our ranks.”
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