Division of Professional Relations

Larry Wagner, a member of the Gay and Transgender Chemists and Allies Subdivision and National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP), will be speaking about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) needs at the NSF National Diversity Equity Workshop (NDEW) in January, an effort by the Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE).

The workshop series brings together chemistry department chairs and social scientists to develop a better understanding of the underlying causes for the continued reduced representation of underrepresented groups in academia and to investigate effective practices to counteract this trend. Chemistry Department Chairs from the top 50 universities are taught how to be inclusive of all people, and how to assure equity in compensation, benefits, and opportunities. The January workshop will be the first time the LGBT perspective is presented at an NSF workshop.

Larry will talk about the diversity issues faced in the 21st century. Success in this era relies heavily on being able to recruit and retain the best and brightest in our fields. Respect for all types of diversity is critical to this endeavor. Stereotypes and their role in our behaviors will be presented. The impacts of subtle discrimination and unique challenges of LGBT diversity will be discussed.