Special Session SS33  12 July 2023

All the colours of the spectrum: enhancing gender balance and LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in Astronomy

Aims and scope

Despite the numerous and positive actions, the discussion about inclusivity in Astronomy often tends to focus on few aspects of diversity, in particular gender balance, possibly overlooking the effects and impact of other marginalising identifiers, such as race, class, sexual orientation and gender identity. At the same time, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and intersectionality as an essential aspect of the discussion is a critical step to make science more inclusive, diverse and equal for all.

The challenges of women and people identifying as LGBTQIA+ within Astronomy, are in need of a dedicated space for discussion and in this session we aim at bringing together women, LGBTQIA+ Astronomers and their allies to raise awareness on many of the challenges that such individuals face and what is needed to overcome them. This comes at a critical moment considering the increasing climate of hostility against women and the LGBTQIA+ community within Europe.

Our goals for this session are to:

  • Acknowledge the lack of LGBTQIA+ and gender diversity within the society and the astronomical community
  • Recognise the conscious and unconscious biases based on gender, race, and sexual orientation in Astronomy, with dedicated questionnaires.
  • Raise awareness on the needs of the community of LGBTQIA+ Astronomers and women in Astronomy.
  • Enhance interactions between women, LGBTQIA+ Astronomers and their allies.
  • Discuss conflicts between the competitive environment of Astronomy and motherhood, and identify possible solutions.
  • Discuss and promote initiatives to give visibility to LGBTQIA+ Astronomers and provide role models for young scientists.
  • Make European Astronomy and Academic Institutions safe spaces where everyone is free to be who they are, to help young women and LGBTQIA+ folks to accomplish their wishes as scientists, and LGBTQIA+ Astronomers to feel comfortable to come out (if they want to) and thrive in the community.


This Special Session includes talks in a traditional format, covering a variety of themes related to inclusion and diversity, with a focus on gender balance, gender identity and sexual orientation. In addition, this session includes an afternoon discussion session on these themes to enhance participation of the broad community to the topic.

Programme

  • 11:00 - 12:30 Identity and intersectionality
  • 12:45 - 14:00 LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity
  • 16:45 - 18:15 Community activities and actions towards systemic change


    • Invited speakers

  • Sthabile Kolwa The University Of Johannesburg
  • Alfredo Carpineti IFLScience, UK

    • Scientific organisers

    • Eleonora Fiorellino [she/her], INAF (co-Chair)
    • Annagrazia Puglisi [she/her], University of Southampton, CEA Durham (co-Chair)
    • Flaminia Fortuni [she/her], INAF
    • Mathilde Jauzac [she/her/hers], Durham University
    • Guillaume Mahler [he/him], Durham University
    • Stefania Varano [she/her], INAF

      • Contact

      • a.puglisi @ southampton.ac.uk
      • eleonora.fiorellino @ inaf.it

        • Updated on Mon Jul 10 15:34:49 CEST 2023
    European Astronomical Society