Modern research is inherently collaborative. This means working with people across cultures, backgrounds, and borders. While it may be optimistic to assume every student and researcher is equally part of the “scientific community”, the values, practices, and working environments within this community can vary widely between institutions and disciplines. Furthermore, what may be an accepting and supportive community to some, others may find it less welcoming or representative, or even hostile. People who are part of a minority (i.e., LGBTQIA+) are particularly vulnerable to differences in work experiences and representation.
This begs the question of how one can find or build a community in science which upholds accepting and collaborative values. What role does visibility play in finding and building such communities, and how can the scientific community create spaces that foster belonging? We will explore these questions together with the advantages and challenges in fostering awareness of these issues in the workplace, how “othering” relates to the current social climate, and the role of tolerance in building supportive communities. Here, a fine balance must be struck between creating spaces where people feel seen and represented, without splintering into fragmented and siloed communities, and the need for openness, accessibility and tolerance across the wider scientific community.
In this short course, participants will learn about finding and building queer and intersectional communities in Earth sciences. We will discuss these questions (and more) to articulate our challenges and co-create action together with input from the audience. Participants will identify barriers to inclusion, belonging, and representation, and develop practical strategies for addressing them. Finally, we will explore how queer and intersectional communities can create spaces for scientific knowledge and resource sharing among the LGBTQIA+ members of geoscience, while fostering collaboration, representation, and emotional support.