The IET celebrates Pride in STEM

LGBT STEM Day (International Day of LGBTQ+ people in STEM) is an important day to celebrate and increase awareness for diversity and inclusion in STEM. The day also aims to highlight some of the global challenges LGBTQ+ scientists face, such as discrimination, in their own institution or country, or in places where they conduct their research domestically or abroad.

In addition to flying the rainbow flag IET London: Savoy Place has planted all the venue’s flower window boxes in pride colours. Rainbow lanyards will be worn by all staff at the venue as well as by members and their guests. Through visual acts of pride IET London: Savoy Place is showing solidarity with the global STEM community and celebrating the diverse people who make exceptional contributions in their chosen fields.

Jo Foster, IET Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: “More needs to be done to ensure that STEM is being promoted as a viable career path for everyone. We are really proud to have our three UK venues fly the flag for Pride throughout the month of June and we will continue to celebrate everyone from all backgrounds that not only represent and work for the IET, but those that are fantastic advocates and role models for engineering and technology.”

IET London: Savoy Place, as part of the IET, has continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) 365 days a year. As one of the largest professional engineering institutions (PEI) in the world the IET has a duty to promote engineering to everybody and to encourage organisations to do more around promoting the importance of embracing ED&I.

IET research has shown that 29% of respondents who identified as LGBTUA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Undefined, Asexual) opted against having a career in STEM due to worries they would be discriminated against.

The IET believes that advocating ED&I in engineering is a crucial element to addressing the skills shortage that currently threatens UK industry and that through participating in this year’s celebrations more LGBTQ+ choose a career in STEM.