Character Biosciences的动态

Very happy to be able to share our new print "Category is... Staff and student experiences of Rainbow Office Hours" as part of #lgbthistorymonth . This is a cross-College collaboration, including a student author, and I'm proud to finally have the argument out there as to why we think Rainbow Office Hours are so important, for both staff and students. This is a pre-submission preprint, any feedback gratefully received. https://lnkd.in/e2te-iEc "In this paper we present staff and student experiences of "Rainbow Office Hours", a distinct, safe space for LGBTQ+ community engagement in higher education, challenging traditional professional identity boundaries and promoting visibility and representation. Originating at the University of Glasgow in 2019, students are invited to attend specific times labelled as Rainbow Office Hours with an LGBTQ+ member of staff to discuss anything LGBTQ+ related. This initiative has helped foster an inclusive campus climate, underscoring the need for broader institutional support for LGBTQ+ identities. We advocate for integrating queer perspectives across academic disciplines, emphasising the critical role of representation in educational environments and critiquing the prevailing heteronormative and cisnormative institutional cultures that discourage the integration of sexual and gender minority issues into academia. We cannot, and will not, leave who we are at the door when we arrive at work." #highereducation #lgbtq #inclusiveeducation

We’re excited to announce the scholarship recipients for Cohort 15 of VC University! These 40 aspiring VCs were competitively selected from hundreds of applications by our nonprofit sister organization Venture Forward. This scholarship class is incredibly diverse across geography, gender, ethnicity, and age: ? ?? 78% identify as people of color ?? 68% identify as women or as nonbinary ?? 15% identify as LGBTQ+ ?? 70% live outside CA, MA, and NY (the three states with the majority of VC activity) ? Get to know these up-and-coming VCs:? https://lnkd.in/gSY-ym9Z

We recently teamed up for a project that sparked some powerful conversations about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) on campus! My awesome friends, and I interviewed students from our campus, and their insights were incredibly valuable. Here are some key themes that emerged: Challenging Assumptions: One scenario we explored involved a situation where a student's background potentially influenced their experience. This highlighted the importance of questioning assumptions and fostering environments free from bias. Building an Inclusive LGBTQ+ Community: The project also delved into the experiences of LGBTQ+ students, emphasizing the need for inclusive spaces and respect for all identities. Bridging Cultural Gaps: Open communication and cultural sensitivity were crucial takeaways from a scenario focused on navigating cultural differences. Collaboration is Key! This project wouldn't have been possible without Mebin Thomas, Cherylanne Gonsalves & Soumiya Prabhakaran and collaborative spirit! Huge thanks to Dr. Elizabeth C. maam for her incredible support and guidance throughout. Let's Keep the Conversation Going! DEIB is an ongoing journey. We'd love to hear your stories and thoughts: How can we create a more inclusive and equitable campus community? Drop a comment below and share your experiences! #DEIB #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #Belonging #StudentProject #OpenDiscussion

I posted the other day about “Will and Harper,” a film about the friendship between Will Ferrell and Harper Steele that just premiered at Sundance. I expressed mixed excitement and apprehension about seeing it when it becomes more widely available and got some responses from folks who did and did not get my mixed feelings. As I have thought about my response and those I received from others, a realization crystalized: In LGBTQ+ advocacy work, we are often caught between two audiences - our LGBTQ+ siblings and neighbors and our cisgender, straight ones. They often have different starting points and needs and it can be difficult to know how to meet both. Whether I am conscious of it or not, as an advocate, trainer, and writer I regularly have to make choices about which audience’s needs to prioritize based on the impact I hope to have. This calls to mind a PFLAG-sponsored workshop I once gave at the Southeast Regional Unity Conference. The workshop was on engaging people in the early stages of becoming an LGBTQ+ ally. I crafted it with my fellow PFLAG chapter board members to help advocates and community organizers create psychological safety for people who have reasons to support LGBTQ+ people in their life but are struggling with their cultural conditioning around sexuality and gender. I included skills for managing one’s own reactivity, offering non-judgmental support, and small ways to encourage critical consideration of social constructs. It wasn’t an easy curriculum and assumed attendees would have significant patience and self-assured presence to be able to make space for others. So, I was taken aback when workshop time arrived and I was faced with a room of queer college students desperate for support on their small southern campuses, not currently ready to create space for others' psychological work. I did my best to adapt, modifying the skills to create safe space for ourselves, ways to become our own ally. Similarly, I regularly encounter situations when I need to speak directly to my LGBTQ+ audience members and know that I will lose people who don’t use the same language and thought patterns. I don’t have any grand conclusions about how to bridge the needs of these two audiences. I do think being mindful of both and assessing the potential impact of our advocacy across audiences is a place to start. Both deserve our attention and our best efforts at reaching them where they are.

Can't believe this has come around again so quickly! If you have an innovative idea, involving #chemistry do look at applying for one of the categories. I am looking forward to judging the entries! #innovation #greenchemistry #sustainability

Exploring LGBTQ+ Studies: Understanding Diverse Identities for an Inclusive World #diversegenderandsexualidentities #genderandsexuality #HarvardUniversityLGBTQStudies #inclusivesociety #intersectionality #LGBTQmovement #LGBTQstudiesexperts #Queertheory #threesomedatingapps

Exploring LGBTQ+ Studies: Understanding Diverse Identities for an Inclusive World #diversegenderandsexualidentities #genderandsexuality #HarvardUniversityLGBTQStudies #inclusivesociety #intersectionality #LGBTQmovement #LGBTQstudiesexperts #Queertheory #threesomedatingapps

?? Turning Challenges into Triumphs: Organizing Campus Pride Event In my final year of university, I had the privilege of leading the LGBTQ+ club on campus, which involved running activities, managing the fraternity's budget, and most memorably, organizing the Pride Month event in June. However, this journey wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles I faced was working with a student union that was less than cooperative. Their lack of support and unwillingness to fulfill their responsibilities threatened to derail the entire event. But this only strengthened my resolve. Instead of giving up, I doubled down. I collaborated with my fraternity members and other campus groups, refusing to let the obstacles stop us. The feeling of injustice fueled my determination to create a meaningful and inclusive event that would be remembered by all students, regardless of the hurdles placed in our way. In the end, the pride event became a success, despite the challenges. It was a reminder that persistence, resourcefulness, and teamwork can overcome even the toughest of opposition. Most importantly, it highlighted the importance of standing up for our community, especially when others try to silence us. ?? Never let roadblocks stop you from creating change. #Leadership #PrideMonth #LGBTQ+ #Resilience #CampusLife #Inclusion #EventManagement #OvercomingChallenges

Building on our internal theme of allyship, we want to extend a massive thank you to InterInvest LGBT+ equality and inclusion Allyship Working Group for their interactive and engaging intersectional allyship training programme. As one of the co-founders of InterInvest, the first LGBTQ+ network dedicated to the asset management and savings industry, I am extremely proud of the fantastic work being done by Alison Proud Claire Mediene and Tom Whateley, CAIA and team. Intersectionality is crucial in our journey toward becoming effective allies. Intersectionality acknowledges that people's experiences of discrimination and privilege are shaped by multiple, overlapping social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. Effective allyship involves recognising these intersecting identities and addressing the unique challenges faced by those at their intersections. Key Actions Allies Should Take: Educate Yourself: Continuously learn about different identities and the systemic issues affecting marginalised groups. Listen Actively: Engage in conversations with an open mind and a willingness to understand others' perspectives. Advocate: Use your platform to amplify marginalised voices and challenge discriminatory behaviors and policies. Reflect: Regularly reflect on your own biases and actions, striving for continuous personal growth. Support: Offer tangible support, whether through mentorship, sponsorship, or creating inclusive environments. The Gender Unicorn and Allyship Pledge The Gender Unicorn is a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of gender identity, gender expression, and attraction. It helps allies grasp the non-binary nature of gender and recognize the diversity of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Our colleagues took the Allyship Pledge, a call on everyone to commit to ongoing learning, active support, and advocacy for all marginalised groups, ensuring that our workplace is inclusive and equitable for everyone. A heartfelt thank you to our Legal & General colleagues for their enthusiastic participation and willingness to share their knowledge and experiences. Your contributions are invaluable in fostering a culture of inclusivity and allyship within our organisation. Together, we are building a more inclusive industry and paving the way for future generations. Let's continue this important work with dedication and compassion. Find out more about InterInvest LGBT+ equality and inclusion at

"Student success" is more than academic achievements. Higher education is about, "equipping and launching students into a new chapter of life post-graduation," says Principal and Higher Education Leader Nicole Nichols, AIA. In order to accomplish this, campus #planning and #design must embrace and engage the mosaic of students that make up these institutions. One such example is at the @University of Miami where veterans, LGBTQ+, and members of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs converge. Nicole shares the #casestudy and its impact within our "Evolution of Campus 4.0" research: https://bit.ly/3sxgLdk #HigherEducation #HigherEducationDesign #EvolutionofCampus