18N Events: International LGBTQIA+ people in STEM Day at the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute and the Faculty of Science
Have you ever made a comment about sexual orientation or gender identity and then wondered whether it might have made someone uncomfortable? Or have you experienced a situation in which a comment or attitude relating to sexual orientation or gender identity made you, or someone around you, feel uncomfortable or offended, and you were unsure how to react?
Building a respectful and inclusive workplace is the responsibility of everyone who is part of the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute. For this reason, the Equality Committee is expanding this year’s commemoration and is pleased to present the 18N Events, organised to mark the International LGBTQIA+ People in STEM Day by the INMA Equality Committee and the Faculty of Science Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
From 16 to 19 November, we have prepared an open programme of training, culture and discussion to raise the visibility of sexual and gender diversity and to continue making our institution a place where talent and diversity go hand in hand.
Scheduled activities
● Tuesday 17 November – 12:00 pm
Opening of the exhibition Role models in STEM
Venue: Building D Hall
Science is neither neutral nor detached from social justice. We come together to take up space, make our struggles visible and highlight the central role of the LGBTQIA+ community in shaping scientific and technological knowledge. In the face of bias and invisibility: presence, pride and the radical transformation of our classrooms and research centres.
● Wednesday 18 November – 10:00 am
Training session on sexual and gender diversity (registration required) + community coffee gathering at 11:00 am
Delivered by the University Office for Diversity Support (OUAD) at the University of Zaragoza.
Venue: Faculty of Science Degree Hall
(Please note: the session will be conducted in Spanish for logistical reasons.)
We would like to continue the discussion over coffee, providing an opportunity to talk further about the topic, get to know one another, and encourage you to share any questions, ideas for activities or concerns with the Equality Committees.
[Link to the registration form on Google Forms]
All INMA staff are warmly invited, including those who may be unable to attend the session because of the language barrier.
● Wednesday 18 November – 6:00 pm
Talk and discussion: “Turing: the one you would never imagine doing what you cannot imagine”
Alan Turing laid the foundations of modern computing and cracked the Enigma code, helping to save millions of lives. Despite his brilliance, he was persecuted because of his homosexuality, leaving an enduring legacy both in science and in the fight for diversity.
Through scenes from the films The Imitation Game and Breaking the Code, we will explore his personal life and his work at Bletchley Park, where he helped break the Enigma machine.
Venue: Faculty of Science Degree Hall
● Thursday 19 November – 12:30 pm
Talk: “Science is queer too: stories that deserve to be told”
Delivered by Gabriel López.
A journey through the stories of LGBTQIA+ people who have contributed to scientific progress across different disciplines and historical periods. Through their experiences, we will discover their achievements, learn about the challenges and barriers they faced, and reflect on the importance of diverse role models in science.
Venue: Great Hall, Faculty of Science.
We look forward to your attendance and participation as we continue working together to make our institution a place where talent and diversity go hand in hand.
INMA Equality Committee and the Faculty of Science Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
