"In this episode: coming out. Academia can think of itself as an area that can ask the difficult questions. Science, after all, is all about getting to the bottom of things, seeking an understanding of the world around us in all its complexity. But when it comes to the complexity of researchers themselves, academia can often struggle to have the tough conversations."
"Around the world, people face discrimination and prejudice for their identities. But for many, there can be profound legal consequences too. There are 65 countries where LGBTQ+ identities or acts remain illegal, under threat of death penalty in some nations. In a moment, we'll speak with a young researcher who proudly shares her story on social media. But first, let me introduce you to Shannon Bros. She's a professor emerita from San Jose State University department of biological sciences."
Academia values rigorous inquiry but frequently avoids conversations about researchers' personal identities. Many LGBTQ+ researchers conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity from colleagues for years. Religious scientists often feel compelled to hide their faith because of negative public perceptions. Systemic biases and unequal access reduce opportunities for people from marginalized backgrounds. Sixty-five countries criminalize LGBTQ+ identities or acts, with some imposing the death penalty. Public sharing on social media can provide a platform for young researchers to express pride and build community. Supportive mentorship and flexible research agendas can enable students to pursue diverse projects.
Read at Nature
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]