University of Exeter: New competition encourages students to share stories of inspiring LGBTQ+ scientists

Ahead of LGBTQ+ history month in February, the Queer Science Competition (QSC), is being launched today (24 January) by PRISM Exeter – in association with the University of Exeter, Intercom Trust, Exeter College, Devon Schools Leadership Services and Exeter Science Centre.

The team want to hear from students aged 11+ across the greater Exeter* area on whose life and/or work they find inspiring and why, and how their experiences differ from those of LGBTQ+ people today.

Dr Claire Davies, founder & Chair of PRISM Exeter and Lecturer in Physics & Astronomy at the University of Exeter, said: “As a late 80s kid growing up in the UK, I undertook all my compulsory education under Section 28 – a local government policy which meant teachers could be sacked if they spoke about LGBTQ+ identities in schools.

“As a nation, we’ve come a long way since then and it has been so refreshing to work with Intercom Trust, Exeter College, and schools across Devon to design PRISM Exeter’s Queer Science Competition.

“The competition helps to challenge common perceptions about the types of people who work across scientific, technological, engineering, mathematical and medical industries and to highlight to students and their families, educators, and wider circles of influence that these professions are open to all.”

The competition will be judged by a panel of PRISM Exeter coordinators and the top three entries will win a cash prize (1st prize of £100, plus two runner-up prizes of £50 each) and will be invited to an event celebrating Pride Month at the University of Exeter during the week beginning June 27th 2022.