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In The South

Lincoln librarian shortlisted for Gay Times honours

Besi Besemar September 22, 2017

Dr Beth Hellen, a Systems Librarian at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln, has been shortlisted for the Barbara Burford Gay Times Honour for Excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

In 2014, while working as a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey, Beth created the LGBTSTEM blog that highlights researchers, scientists and engineers from across the world who identify as LGBT+. It aims to provide role models and show students that they can achieve anything regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

Once back in the UK, she also founded the LGBTSTEMinar, a conference and networking opportunity for LGBT people in STEM fields.

Beth said: “When I started the blog, I was working as a bioinformatician and it really came out of my personal experience of not knowing anyone who was LGBT+ in the departments where I worked. It can make you feel quite alone, and I don’t think you can be doing your best work if you’re always trying to hide some part of your life.

“Since I started the project I’ve had a lot of really great support and the conference is getting bigger and better every year.”

The Gay Times Honours will be presented at the National Portrait Gallery, London on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

To view the LGBTSTEM blog, click here: 

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