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Students can find tips on where to start their search and find out how to enter, including full T&Cs, at prismexeter.com/qsc
New competition encourages students to share stories of inspiring LGBTQ+ scientists
A new competition is challenging school, college and university students around Exeter to discover and share the stories of lesser known LGBTQ+ scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics.
Ahead of LGBTQ+ history month in February, the Queer Science Competition (QSC), is being launched today (24 January) by PRISM Exeter – in association with the University of Exeter, Intercom Trust, Exeter College, Devon Schools Leadership Services and Exeter Science Centre.
The team want to hear from students aged 11+ across the greater Exeter* area on whose life and/or work they find inspiring and why, and how their experiences differ from those of LGBTQ+ people today.
Dr Claire Davies, founder & Chair of PRISM Exeter and Lecturer in Physics & Astronomy at the University of Exeter, said: “As a late 80s kid growing up in the UK, I undertook all my compulsory education under Section 28 – a local government policy which meant teachers could be sacked if they spoke about LGBTQ+ identities in schools.
“As a nation, we’ve come a long way since then and it has been so refreshing to work with Intercom Trust, Exeter College, and schools across Devon to design PRISM Exeter’s Queer Science Competition.
“The competition helps to challenge common perceptions about the types of people who work across scientific, technological, engineering, mathematical and medical industries and to highlight to students and their families, educators, and wider circles of influence that these professions are open to all.”
The competition will be judged by a panel of PRISM Exeter coordinators and the top three entries will win a cash prize (1st prize of £100, plus two runner-up prizes of £50 each) and will be invited to an event celebrating Pride Month at the University of Exeter during the week beginning June 27th 2022.
Closing date for entries is May 20th 2022. Students can find tips on where to start their search and find out how to enter, including full T&Cs, at prismexeter.com/qsc
*Please note that entrants must be enrolled at an educational institution within the Exeter area for all or part of the academic year 2021/22. Qualifying educational institutions are schools, colleges and universities within the following UK postcode regions: EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX5, EX6, EX7, and EX8.
Date: 24 January 2022