RISE Center PhD student Carly Busch was invited to contribute a blog post for the American Society of Microbiology. She highlights some impactful yet easy ways we can create more LGBTQIA-inclusive biology learning environments.

Recruiting and retaining diverse individuals in science is integral to promoting scientific progress, and in order to do this, science must first become more inclusive for all individuals. Currently, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) academic environments are often considered to be unwelcoming and unfriendly spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals.