Student nº7
Student nº7
Embedded Files
Have you experienced chemistry teaching in University in the last 5 years?
Have you experienced chemistry teaching in University in the last 5 years?
Yes
Did you study at a UK university?
Did you study at a UK university?
Yes
What was the name of your undergraduate course?
What was the name of your undergraduate course?
Chemistry with industrial experience.
What would you like chemistry educators to know about your experiences of inequalities in Higher Education?
What would you like chemistry educators to know about your experiences of inequalities in Higher Education?
I’ve had a mixed experience with teachers at university, whilst there’s no question they’ve been excellent chemists their interpersonal skills as teachers has sometimes been lacking. I’m transgender and although I’m fortunate enough that most people don’t know/can’t tell, it’s cropped up a few times. When I arrived at the university my name was not legally changed and so my “deadname” would appear all over the place, my student ID, the register for labs, on blackboard. My personal tutor in 1st year wouldn’t deadname me but he would regularly misgender me. Talking to him brought an apology but no change so I just kept quiet in his tutorials. When JK Rowling expressed fully her highly transphobic views on line it hurt so much to see a ‘like’ from one of the lecturers at uni. Being trans sucks but if you are good at chemistry and you blend in then it’s less of a problem, but with the rise of transphobia in the UK it’s very scary to just walk down the street. It’s crushing for mental health and when you are dealing with a very heavy degree like chemistry, it makes it worse and on top of that it makes you keep quiet about it.
Are there any actions or changes that you would like chemistry instructors to make?
Are there any actions or changes that you would like chemistry instructors to make?
Ideally, known transphobes to be removed from a position where they can be in contact with students. But that’s not going to happen. I would hope for teachers to educate themselves about trans identities to support their students, but we live in a country where being transphobic and not “believing” we exist is somehow acceptable and “protected” so I don’t know.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
It is possible to go the other way and REALLY over do it! A simple progress pride flag in the office is enough.
What country did you grow up in?
What country did you grow up in?
England
Are you disabled/have an impairment?
Are you disabled/have an impairment?
Yes
Are you LGBT+?
Are you LGBT+?
Yes
What is your gender?
What is your gender?
Female
What is your ethnicity?
What is your ethnicity?
White British
Page updated
Report abuse