1. Building LGBTQ Communities in STEM: A Case Study of oSTEM at UT Austin Daniel Sanchez & Victoria Zamloot   The University of Texas at Austin MSE Graduate Program, 204 E. Dean Keeton St. C2201, Austin, TX
Abstract
We provide an overview of the activities of the UT Austin chapter of Out in STEM (oSTEM at UT Austin), and recommendations for future efforts in building LGBTQ communities in STEM fields.
1. Motivation
In STEM fields, “individual identity factors are often considered inconsequential or irrelevant” to professional development. However, “research suggests that being part of a marginalized or minoritized group can hamper job satisfaction, career success, and workplace productivity” [1]. Thus, there is a need to provide professional development targeted at LGBTQ communities in STEM.
2. Core Events for Community-Building
Company Co-hosted Meetings inform students about the purpose and goals of the co-hosting company. Meetings are on-campus and serve to open discussions about being LGBTQ in the workplace, offer recruiting opportunities for the co-host, and provide information about the company’s industry.
Professional Workshops help students develop skills necessary to break into their careers.
Social Events include game nights, volunteering at The Q, group dinners, and study nights. Events occur throughout the year to strengthen the LBGTQ STEM community.
3. Barriers to Success
Inexperience with what events best build communities
Difficulties in effective advertising of events to all LGBTQ-identifying students due to the size of UT Austin, e.g. large student population, many active student organizations competing for student attention, and other weekly events
Communication difficulties with oSTEM at the national level
Lack of startup funding
4. Recommendations for Future Efforts
Collaborate with other LGBTQ and/or professional organization to maximize publicity and audience attendance to events
Focus advertising efforts on incoming students through tabling and beginning-of-semester welcome events
Community-building events foster organization growth more effectively than company-hosted events
References
1. J. Yoder, A. Mattheis, “Queer in STEM: Workplace Experiences Reported in a National Survey of LGBTQA Individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Careers,” Journal of Homosexuality, vol. 63, no. 1, 2016.
Aug. 2015: UT oSTEM is rebooted
Feb. 2016: Hosted first social at The Union Underground
Mar. 2016: Hosted first company-supported meeting with BP
Nov. 2016: Sent five members to attend oSTEM National Conference in Denver, CO
Sept. 2017: Hosted fall semester kickoff event with over 30 attendees
Jan. 2018: oSTEM leadership undergoes large transition
Fig. 1: Timeline of oSTEM at UT Austin since its founding
Beginning of fall semester
Fig. 2: Overview of leadership roles and duties
Fig. 3: audience growth in 2017
Fig. 4: Company outreach
Fig. 5: Expenses and income in 2017
Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin
April 4-6, 2018