[Triumf-seminars] TRIUMF Colloquium today at 14:00

[TRIUMF Seminars]

Date/Time: Thu 2023-03-30 at 14:00

Location:  Remote              

Speaker:   Gwen Grinyer (University of Regina)

Title:     The Physics of Breaking Glass Ceilings

Abstract: [Commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility on 31 March]

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uvic.zoom.us/j/88245432719?pwd=R0U2VWdwUEUvK2hISkVNZXRkWVJkZz09

Meeting ID: 882 4543 2719
Password: 619543
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Understanding the climate and addressing the barriers faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is my passion. Not just from the perspective of equity, diversity and inclusion but because attracting and retaining the best people is what drives scientific innovation and enhances the potential for discovery. My passion is also deeply personal. Working as an experimental nuclear physicist for 20 years, I have often wondered why the number of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in STEM, and in the physical sciences in particular, is so low. Transgender scientists are extremely rare, especially trans women scientists who are virtually non-existent. This complete lack of visible role models for queer and trans youth who are potentially interested in STEM careers is detrimental for recruitment. Combined with the climate in STEM that enforces gender stereotypes, encourages people to hide themselves, and that provides little to no education for creating safe, welcoming and affirming workplaces for queer and trans scientists only compounds the challenges. I don't know how to break the cycle but, as one of the few who has successfully navigated an academic career in physics, I hope that by being visible my story can inspire. This talk is about me: the woman, the physicist, the educator and the advocate.

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Dr. Gwen Grinyer (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Regina who researches a wide variety of topics in experimental nuclear physics including the structure of short-lived radioactive nuclei, neutrinoless double beta decay, and nuclear astrophysics. In addition to her physics research, she is a prominent advocate for women and 2SLGBTQ+ people in STEM fields and has done numerous outreach activities across Canada that have focused on visibility and inclusion of underrepresented identities in physics.

Remote talk.

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General TRIUMF seminar information available at http://www.triumf.ca/home/upcoming-events/about-seminars-lectures