Out in Inorganic Chemistry: A Celebration of LGBTQIAPN+ Inorganic Chemists

Abstract

with two kids. Luckily, at some point, a successful gay professor came along, and I realized that I might have a place in academia after all. Perhaps, I can be that role model for the questioning under the LGBTQ+ rainbow.

Bias Amplification in Gender, Gender Identity, and Geographical Affiliation

“…Visibility for minorities has the potential to create positive role models that give the strength of other people to feel they can be part of the academic system. In this respect, we welcome editorial initiatives like the recent special article collection in Inorganic Chemistry curated by Ghosh and Tolman, which brought forward major scientific contributions in the field by authors who identify themselves in the queer spectrum . As curators point out in their introductory editorial: “[..] Much of the discussion around identity-based discrimination in the West has focused on either systemic or institutional bias or the most scandalous and grotesque forms of harassment.…”

“…In conclusion, this commentary calls for a broader definition of gender bias to include gender identity in STEM and for greater attention to the issue of bias amplification due to geographic affiliation in the field of computational chemistry and chemoinformatics. The pathways to greater equity, diversity, and inclusion have already been addressed by several studies. ,,,,,− One common outcome from these reports is the need for organizations to actively seek and promote greater gender identity and geographical diversity on their hiring bodies, evaluation panels, and editorial boards. Another is the need for individuals to act proactively to recognize and counteract implicit or explicit bias.…”

“…However, much damage is also done by day-to-day obstruction and milder forms of harassment, which over time can exact a devastating toll." 49 The role of local institutions in fighting such subtle forms of discrimination and bias is crucial. As pointed out before, statistics report that minority groups have less tendency to whistleblowing.…”

“…In this respect, we welcome editorial initiatives like the recent special article collection in Inorganic Chemistry curated by Ghosh and Tolman, which brought forward major scientific contributions in the field by authors who identify themselves in the queer spectrum. 49 As curators point out in their introductory editorial: “[..] Much of the discussion around identity-based discrimination in the West has focused on either systemic or institutional bias or the most scandalous and grotesque forms of harassment. However, much damage is also done by day-to-day obstruction and milder forms of harassment, which over time can exact a devastating toll.” ( 49 ) The role of local institutions in fighting such subtle forms of discrimination and bias is crucial.…”

Emerging Investigators in Crystal Growth & Design 2022

“…In terms of the researchers themselves, I was inspired by the wonderful recent Inorganic Chemistry special issue "Out in Inorganic Chemistry: A Celebration of LGBTQIAPN+ Inorganic Chemists" introduced by Abhik Ghosh and Bill Tolman who asked chemists who identify as LGBTQIAPN+ to speak for themselves of their experiences of being both LGBTQIAPN+ and a chemist. 3 For this emerging investigators VSI, we have similarly reached out to some of our contributors and asked them what their experience has been starting a research group and establishing their careers in chemistry or what it is that makes them tick. The responses are given below; they make for interesting reading and are as diverse as the scientists themselves.…”