Call for Papers

Please contact the symposium organizers with questions.

This symposium highlights research in materials science and engineering contributed by LGBTQIA+-identifying researchers and welcomes all conference attendees to join for discussion. Research will include, but is not limited to, materials synthesis, processing, characterization, and performance, the interaction of the MSE discipline with society, and the experiences of LGBTQIA+ scholars in STEM. The breadth of topics in this interdisciplinary session may enable new, unexpected scientific discussions and collaborations. LGBTQIA+ scholars from all career paths, spanning academia, industry, and national labs, and from all career stages are invited to contribute abstracts. Alongside their research, speakers are welcome to share their personal experiences and discuss historical and ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ scholars in STEM, as well as experiences and initiatives that have led to a greater sense of inclusion and belonging. In addition to research-oriented technical sessions, the symposium will incorporate a panel discussion on opportunities, challenges, and perspectives related to LGBTQIA+ identities in MSE. We anticipate that the topics discussed in this session will leave a lasting impact with attendees.

Topics will include:

• LGBTQIA+ Identities in STEM
• Interdisciplinary materials science and engineering
• Diversity
• Equity
• Inclusion

Invited Speakers (tentative):

• Clara Barker (University of Oxford, United Kingdom)
• Ty Christoff-Tempesta (University of Delaware, USA)
• Bruce Cohen (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)
• Bryce Hughes (Montana State University, USA)
• Xiaosong Li (University of Washington, USA)
• Kristin Poduska (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)

Symposium Organizers