LGBTQ equality in STEM workforce

A recent press release discusses a new project with the Rowan University Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering in New Jersey partnering with other universities to advance LGBTQ equality in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Research shows that STEM students and professionals are not as comfortable on campus compared to students and professionals in other fields. The project also promotes a diverse workforce in STEM fields by encouraging LGBTQ equality through recruitment efforts.

To help explore these issues, College Recruiter is hosting a College Recruiting Bootcamp on LGBT and other diversity hiring issues on Tuesday, September 29th at the Twilio headquarters in San Francisco. Join us.

Prior to that event, we’ll publish the opinions from a number of talent acquisition and recruiting leaders about why and how employers should diversify their workforces. Dr. Stephanie Farrell, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University, provides insight into Rowan University’s project.

Dr. Stephanie Farrell, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University

“Through face-to-face and online training, the project will build a network of LGBTQ-affirming faculty who are aware of strategies to foster an inclusive environment and are empowered to advance LGBTQ equality in their departments,” Farrell said.

“Given the need to increase our STEM workforce to remain competitive in a global economy, efforts must be made to attract and retain talented individuals to STEM disciplines and professions. To this end, increasing diversity in science and engineering has become a national priority,” Farrell said.

“I hope that this project will contribute to a change in engineering culture that moves matters of social justice and inclusion closer to the core of professional practice in STEM,” Farrell added.

Here is a link with more information on the project: http://today.rowan.edu/home/news/2015/09/01/rowan-engineering-partners-on-promoting-lgbtq-equality-stem-0

Dr. Stephanie Farrell is Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University (USA) and was the 2014-2015 Fulbright Scholar in Engineering Education at Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland). Her research interests include problem-based learning and inductive teaching methods, diversity and inclusion in engineering, and the importance of spatial visualization skills with respect to academic performance in engineering. She has been honored by the American Society of Engineering Education with several teaching awards such as the 2004 National Outstanding Teaching Medal and the 2005 Quinn Award for experiential learning, and she was granted Honoris Causa by the International Society for Engineering Education in 2012.