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The Staff Pride Network is an inclusive network that serves as a resource for the rich diversity of LGBT+ employees across the institution, including PhD students who prefer to attend staff events. We strive to take an intersectional approach to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all people who self identify as part of LGBT+ communities, whether or not they are 'out' in the wider world, and to make LGBT+ issues more visible within the University environment. Different organisations use different acronyms to refer to specific groups, and terminology is always evolving. Our definition of LGBT+ includes, among others, those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender fluid, intersex, non-binary, asexual, pansexual and polyamorous. It also includes all those individuals and communities whose sexuality or gender identity is a matter of shared personal, political and/or social experience, as well as those who are LGBT+ allies.

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LGBTQ+ champion wins Royal Society of Edinburgh medal

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Scientific pioneers recognised

In October, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, announced the six winners of its highly prestigious medals.

The RSE medals recognise exceptional achievement in science, academia and public engagement.

University of Edinburgh LGBT+ champion awarded medal

Dr Luke Graham Boulter, of the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, was awarded the RSE Patrick Neill Medal.

Dr Boulter received the award for his discovery of a number of processes that are required for cancers to develop during chronic disease, and his identification of a series of therapeutically targetable signals that cancers use to grow.

Being awarded the Patrick Neill medal from the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a real honour and I am delighted to see such a prestigious organisation celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community in science”.

  • Dr Luke Boulter

Dr Boulter’s LGBTQ+ work

A photo of Dr Boulter, smiling and looking at the camera.

Dr Boulter is also an active champion of LGBTQ+ diversity in medicine and science and is a member of the Royal Society Diversity Committee.

In an interview last year with the Royal Society, Dr Boulter talks about his work and being a part of the LGBTQ+ scientific community.

How can scientists be great allies for their LGBT+ colleagues?

“Just treat them like people. Recognising diversity gives you better results and better science. LGBT+ people have a different perspective and those experiences are important. Just embrace that and enjoy the diversity.”

Looking back, what advice or words of encouragement would you give to your younger self, or to aspiring LGBT+ scientists?

“I would say to my younger self: be proud of who are you and be comfortable with who you are because it’s OK.

To other young LGBT+ scientists: I would say that this is a great career- you will discover things about yourself and the world that no one else knows.

So be a scientist – it’s inclusive, it’s friendly and you can be who you want to be here.”

Other RSE award winners

The other winners of this year’s RSE medals are:

  • RSE Royal Medal: Professor Peter Kennedy of the Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation at the University of Glasgow
  • RSE Lord Kelvin Medal: Professor Alan William Hood of St Andrews University
  • RSE Sir James Black Medal: Professor Ian David Duncan of the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • RSE Innovator’s Prize for Public Engagement: Dr Paul O’Mahoney, a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant working within the Photobiology Unit at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital
  • RSE Senior Prize for Public Engagement: Professor Niamh Nic Daéid, Director of The University of Dundee’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science

This year’s medallists have all made truly exceptional contributions to their own field of science.  This year’s recipients join a small but brilliant group of pioneers that have been advancing learning and knowledge since the RSE’s Royal Charter was awarded in 1783.

Scotland can be proud that such a cohort of brilliant talent, making a vast difference to lives all over the world, can be found within our small nation.

  • Professor Dame Anne Glover, President of the RSE

Related links

Scientific pioneers recognised by 2020 Royal Society of Edinburgh Medals

The Royal Society Blog: Celebrating LGBT History Month

LGBTQ+ champion wins Royal Society of Edinburgh medal / Staff Pride Network by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0

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