Dr. Ben Britton joins host and producer Vanessa just in time for LGBT STEM Day. The conversation about 2SLGBTQ+ people's participation in STEM is ramping up more and more, and we're talking about what employers and those in academia can do to create a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We also cover what kinds of unique circumstances this community experiences, with some harrowing statistics that show how much work needs to be done to be inclusive to 2SLGBTQ+ people working in and studying STEM.

(Please excuse any audio hiccups in this remotely recorded interview.)

Guest: Dr. Ben Britton (Twitter)

Ben Britton is an Associate Professor in Materials Engineering at UBC, teaches on the Manufacturing Engineering programme and holds a visiting Readership at Imperial College London. Ben leads a research group looking at characterising the performance and manufacturing of materials used in high risk high value applications, as well as materials used to support us achieving a low carbon future. In addition to his technical work, Ben works to agitate for improved equity in STEM, including a focus on LGBTQ+ issues.

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Relevant Links:

• Cech, E.A. and Waidzunas, T.J., "Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM"
• Dr. Britton on Wikipedia
• Experimental Micromechanical Characterisation Research Group
• Institute of Physics, "Exploring the workplace for LGBT+ physical scientists" report
• LGBT STEM Day
• "No Sexuality, Please, We're Scientists" (talk, Imperial College London)
• Responses from members of 21 STEM professional societies - a Twitter thread
• Safer Spaces

Hosted by: Vanessa Hennessey
Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes
Produced by: Vanessa Hennessey

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