Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2022
DOI:
[PDF]
LGBTQIA+ Students’ and Professionals’ Inclusion and Diversity in STEM
Hessam Mirgolbabaei, Abigail Clarke-Sather, Robert Feyen
ABSTRACT:
Diversity and inclusion may not have been of great emphasis in STEM, specifically in engineering, when it comes to LGBTQIA+, i.e., Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and all the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren’t included in these few letters. As diversity in any field will supposedly increase the likelihood of achieving innovative breakthroughs, attention to potential factors that promote diversity and increase the retention of sexual minorities can be a significant step toward reaching a more successful environment. Strategies towards this goal cover a range of spectrum in the engineering profession, from the hiring process to decision-making and administrative structure. The present text discusses multiple struggles in achieving a diverse educational and working environment. Eventually, potential interventions and approaches are proposed to untangle the issues.
keywords: LGBTQIA+, Students’ engagement, STEM education, Engineering Education, LGBTQIA+ Faculty