Since 2024, I have been on the Equality Committee at MPIA, working together with the Gender Equality Officer and others to advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at our Institute. Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik

Since 2023, I have been co-leading the "Queer International Meet-Up Heidelberg" as part of the PLUS Charity's offer of groups and meetings for queer people in the region. Image Credit: PLUS Rhein-Neckar e.V.

For the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2023 I organised a presentation at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, inviting Emily Hunt to speak about her experience with activism for greater LGBT+ inclusion within Astronomy. Image Credit: Evert Nasedkin

In February 2023, I organised "OUTer Space", an LGBT+ Outreach day at the Haus der Astronomie (House of Astronomy) in Heidelberg. I planned, organised, and executed the day consisting of a planetarium show, tours of the telescopes, the stellar model, as well as talks from LGBT+ Scientists and Allies and a Q&A Panel. Image Credit: Yanu Khusanova

In 2020, I became a member of the Edinburgh University Sports Union Inclusion Committee, to advocate for equity and inclusion in university sports. Image Credit: EUSU

Delegates of the NUS LGBT+ Conference 2018. I have participated in various conferences across the UK on LGBT+ inclusion (e.g. LGBTYS Youth Summit in Falkirk 2017, NUS LGBT+ Conference in Edinburgh 2018, among others)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

I care deeply about making Academia in General, and Science and specifically Astronomy in particular, a more welcoming environment for everyone. Some of the things I have done in this regard include:

  • Sitting on the Equality Committe at MPIA
  • Co-leading the "Queer International Meet-Up Heidelberg"
  • Organised "OUTer Space"
  • Organised a presentation at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy for IDAHOBIT
  • Member of the Edinburgh University Sports Union Inclusion Committee
  • Participated in various conferences across the UK on LGBT+ inclusion

For more information, click through the slideshow.

Further to these, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I set up LGBT+ lunch meetings at the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, to provide a safe space for LGBT+ students to meet and foster a sense of community. I am currently in the process of setting up a similar initiative at the University of Heidelberg.

I firmly believe that widening participation in Astronomy is crucial to the future of our field, and I am always keen to engage in initiatives to make this happen.