The Magic of Tenacity: 10th Annual oSTEM Conference
Tenacity truly defines the character of the 10th Annual oSTEM Conference. Event organizers gracefully took on unprecedented challenges to offer a vibrant online celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. This year, oSTEM partnered with the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) to hold their second joint conference. From November 12th to November 15th, 2020, oSTEM and NOGLSTP members across the USA, UK, and Mexico came together to shape the future of diversity in STEM.
Conference attendees built their own schedules from a vast selection of events. This year’s virtual experience featured several talks, workshops, community break out sessions, socials, research presentations, and even a hackathon! At the two-day Career and Graduate School Expo, oSTEM and NOGLSTP members had the opportunity to chat with industry professionals and admissions representatives one-on-one.
Though the 2020 conference format was unprecedented, it definitely did not disappoint. Academics, professionals, leaders, and activists shared moments of solidarity and reflection. I was deeply inspired by these opportunities to grow, learn, listen, and be heard. Below is a brief record of my conference experience.
Redefining Professionalism: Diversity at Work
Navigating the professional world as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community can be challenging. Difficult questions arise throughout the job search: Am I a good fit for this role? Can I introduce myself with my pronouns? Will I have a safe space in this company?
Due to the historical tradition of a cis, straight, white, male workplace, LGBTQIA+ culture is often seen as unprofessional. The oSTEM conference had a vibrant rebuttal to this outdated perspective. Dozens of professionals shined — not despite their identity, but because of it. At the “Being LGBTQ+ at Genentech and Roche” session, industry leaders reflected on careers spent redefining healthcare for an equitable future and advocating for LGBTQIA+ policies with local outreach groups. Despite their fears, they received enormous praise from colleagues for embracing diversity. Whether engaging in activism or deciding to live as their full selves, the panelists were firmly supported by the company. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that employees received gender transition resource packets and paid time off for gender-affirming surgery.
During the career fair, many other employees talked about their leadership in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). ERGs are support networks for employees who share similar backgrounds or interests. Companies typically have ERGs for historically marginalized groups, such as BIPOC, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. ERGs facilitate personal and professional development, offer a safe space for employees, and help improve the overall workplace environment.
Though many companies list inclusion policies on their websites, the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ employees speak volumes more about the status of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a student beginning to embark on my own professional journey, it brought me comfort to know that there are industry leaders who share my values.
Transforming Academia: Science and Society
Accompanying the diverse array of professionals, several oSTEM academics brought brilliant perspectives on the future of education and scientific research. Many researchers warned that oversimplified, binary logic in academia perpetuates stereotypes and dismisses marginalized groups. At the “Scientific Ethics: How Sex Research, Standardized Testing, and Gifted Programs are All Tied to Eugenics” workshop, Emmett Leddin noted that scientific research should be innovative and intentional. When considering the question of nature versus nurture, for example, scientists should ask why this question is of interest, and what the research will be used for. When left unchecked, studies can lead to bigotry, which is why diverse representation in research teams is critically important.
Dr. Sambuddha Banerjee agreed that science cannot be separated from society. At the “Learning Equity in STEM Classes” workshop, Banerjee stressed that STEM educators must consider social equity in all aspects of academic life. For example, classrooms are not designed for all body types, and assessments are not designed for all types of learners. Though these issues require structural changes that could take time to fully implement, many changes can be made in the meantime. Including pronouns, land acknowledgments, diversity organizations, and anti-discrimination policies on a course syllabus are simple yet necessary steps that show respect towards marginalized students. These gestures uplift student voices, which is crucial to achieving educational equity. Student advocacy encourages constructive change at every academic level.
Building Safe Spaces: Comfort and Solidarity
Beyond academic environments, expression continues to facilitate healing, growth, and learning. To foster these values in safe spaces, the oSTEM conference provided several affinity group sessions for individuals from specific communities to connect. These included the Race and Ethnicity, Middle Sexualities, Trans and Non-Binary, (Dis)Ability, Ace/Aro, InQUEERy, and Womxn Community Breakouts.
Workshops also provided safe spaces for attendees. At the “Exploring Racism and Anti-Blackness as Asian Queer Scientists” workshop, I shared my thoughts on identity, society, and racism with fellow members of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API), LGBTQIA+, and STEM communities. Being able to exchange personal stories was incredibly liberating and validating. The warmth and solidarity of the group helped me feel at home in the underrepresented intersection of identities that I occupy. Our discussions also covered important issues such as colorism, the Model Minority Myth, intergenerational trauma, and Black and Asian-American feminism. This safe space provided an unforgettable opportunity to process past experiences, consciously engage in the present moment, and pave avenues for action in the future.
Championing Intersectional Activism: Take Action!
Presence has impact. Whether uniting for community or cause, collective action makes a difference. The “Embracing Your Role as Change-maker” workshop urged attendees to embrace the interdisciplinary nature of their backgrounds. Leaders in science advocacy stressed that change starts with telling your story. Show up as a scientist in political spaces, show up as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in scientific spaces, and above all, show up as a dedicated listener for the people you seek to aid. Through continued communication, relationships build, knowledge flows, and effective solutions emerge.
The niche of STEM and academia comes with a wealth of versatile skills that can be used to spark change. At the first plenary session, Mylène DiPenta stated that this power comes from a history of colonialism. For much of history, science has protected violence against marginalized groups. But there was a time before this, and importantly, we can create a time after:
“Homophobia, policing, colonialism, and whiteness are aspects of a system that is designed to control, and punish. There was a time before all of them. In human history, that time was barely a blink of an eye. We can undo all four. They will stand together, or they will fall together. And, if we want humanity to have a chance at a future, they will have to.”
Questioning Homophobia’s Beginnings and Envisioning its End: STEM’s Levers of Change, Mylène DiPenta
Today, the fight against discrimination often feels exhausting, and even impossible, for activists. At the oSTEM conference, determined changemakers inspired attendees to keep pushing. Fuel the movement with your story and with the stories that came before you.
Reflection
The 2020 oSTEM conference made it clear: Diversity is an asset. Intersectionality brings perspective. As students in STEM and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are vital to the future of our world. I had an amazing time learning from experts, connecting with fellow students, and expanding my LinkedIn network at this year’s conference. Looking forward to the next!
Resources
Want to know more about the conference? You can watch the available conference recordings or read the full conference brochure.
Trying to get more involved with oSTEM? Check out the official oSTEM website, volunteer with oSTEM, or find your local chapter. For University of California San Diego students, join oSTEM at UCSD!
