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Academics from across 比比资源 joined forces with industrial peers and local businesses to host a fantastic family-friendly “Pride in STEM” event at The Gregson Centre in celebration of LGBTQ+ scientists this Pride month.

Sponsored by industrial partners LiNa Energy and NG Bailey and supported by local organisations LGBTQ+ bookshop Bent Spines and Queer By Gum, the inaugural “Pride in STEM” event took place on Sunday 7^th June and saw academics from across the University’s faculties come together to deliver a wonderful day of interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, and fascinating LGBTQ+ themed talks. A grass-roots initiative organised by Drs Sophie Rawnsley-Lau (Postdoctoral Researcher) and Peter Bentley (Analytical Support Techician) of the Chemistry Department, teaching technician Dr Jessica Hammond of the Biomedical and Life Sciences Department, and Faculty of Science and Technology Research and Engagement Officer Ellen Greyling, the event had been over a year in the making and was born out of a desire to showcase the diversity of scientists at the University and encourage young people -regardless of identity – to consider a future in STEM.

Situated in the Main Hall in the popular community venue The Gregson Centre, staff and student volunteers entertained young people and their families with a wide variety of activities, from making density rainbows and extracting DNA from strawberries to coding challenges with the BBC Micro:Bit, dress-up stations and badge-making. In addition to the interactive elements of the day, a trio of three University-based speakers – Dr Jaime Benjamin from the Psychology Department, John Barbrook from the Library, and Diya Padiyar, an MA student in Gender Studies – also delivered a set of fascinating talks upstairs in the Centre’s “Secret Cinema”. Covering a diverse range of topics from the psychology behind gender and sexuality, trans erasure on the web, and non-binary immigrant experiences of healthcare, the talk element of the day welcomed a slightly older audience to come along and engage with the cutting-edge research being undertaken across the University in a small and intimate setting.

The event was an overall success, welcoming well over 100 visitors across the course of the day, and with the talks element completely sold out. On the success of the day, Dr Peter Bentley commented: “LU Pride in STEM was such a great day to support; showcasing LGBTQ+ scientists through fun activities for everybody to enjoy and engage in, whilst also acknowledging the challenges facing the community through interesting talks from academics. The involvement of LU scientists, Wellbeing Services, industrial sponsors and local LGBTQ+ organisations gave the event a real sense of community and I am hopeful that this event will continue in future!”

Dr Jess Hammond added: “The first LU Pride in STEM event had a great community spirit. Scientists from different departments and beyond the University gave up their Sunday to come and showcase a range of fun interactive activities that were enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The talks were a reminder of barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community in education and healthcare and showcased some of the research done at 比比资源. We hope to have inspired some future scientists and shown that anyone can be a scientist no matter their background.”