To celebrate LGBTQ+ in STEM day, we’ve spoken to members of the Staff Pride Network, Fellows’ Pride network, the Royal Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Diversity and Inclusion team, for their reflections on the day and what it meant to them to march in Pride.
The Royal Society first marched in Pride in London in 2024 and participated again in 2025. Pride in London is an annual LGBTQ+ festival and parade held in London. This year, the Society’s presence was amplified by a branded bus, emblazoned with the Society’s logo and the tagline ‘Supporting Science with Pride’. Our cohort featured staff, research fellows, Diversity & Inclusion Committee members, and Fellows. This was an important part of the Society’s work to promote inclusion in STEM and support the LGBTQ+ community generally.
LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face underrepresentation in STEM, therefore increasing visibility by marching in Pride is incredibly important. Participating in Pride in London was part of our work to signal to LGBTQ+ students and researchers that science can, and should, be for everyone. To celebrate LGBTQ+ in STEM day, we’ve spoken to members of the Staff Pride Network, Fellows’ Pride network, the Royal Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Diversity and Inclusion team, for their reflections on the day and what it meant to them to march in Pride.
Clara Barker, Diversity and Inclusion Committee member
“This year, Pride coincided with the Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition. We gathered at the Royal Society for a lunch before the march, and it was really great to see members of the public excited by the Society’s participation in Pride. When on the parade, I noticed a number of young people waving their Royal Society tote bags, as they’d been to the exhibition, which shows how much the exhibition and Pride parade meant to attendees.
“Reflecting on the day, I realised how full-circle this day felt; my first involvement with the Royal Society was on a Pride in STEM panel at London Pride about six or seven years ago, held in the same space we gathered for lunch this time. Witnessing how the event had evolved, from panel talks, to marching, to this year’s bus, was a significant moment.
“Having joined the Royal Society’s diversity and inclusion committee around five or six years ago, it’s great to see that marching in Pride is part of a pattern of steps the Society is taking to move forward and improve inclusion in STEM. While there’s still room for improvement, I see real progress: from grants to support retention of researchers from underrepresented background to accessibility enhancements in the building. Marching with an organisation that actively supports its people and embraces inclusivity was very meaningful to me, and I feel optimistic about the positive direction we’re heading in.”
Julia Stawarz, Royal Society University Research Fellow
“It was a great experience to help represent the Royal Society at this year’s London Pride and to meet people from across the breadth of the Society, from Fellows to Research Fellows to staff, that are part of or support the LGBTQ+ community. It is so important, particularly in today’s world, with the recent challenges faced by transgender and other LGBTQ+ people around the world, to see that science is made possible through the efforts of people from all walks of life and it is wonderful that the Royal Society is working to highlight that.”
Olly Offord, Policy Adviser in Education Science Policy and member of Royal Society Staff Pride Network
“Participating in Pride reflected the year-round effort work and progress to make the Royal Society, and science generally, more inclusive. Through my role in science education policy, I know that representation matters and that young people often shape their career aspirations based on visible role models. Enhancing the visibility of LGBTQ+ scientists helps demonstrate to those who may not perceive science as an inclusive space that it truly can be.
“On a personal level, as an LGBTQ+ staff member at the Royal Society, I have at times questioned my acceptance, both in wider society and within professional environments I’ve worked in previously. To be working at an organisation that I know is accepting and proud of having LGBTQ+ staff means that I have a greater sense of belonging.
“The establishment of the Royal Society Staff Pride Network in 2023 has created a supportive community of colleagues with shared lived experiences. By joining together as a community, the network represents a more cohesive voice to drive progress in diversity and inclusion. It’s an incremental process, but we’re iterating towards our goals, and the introduction of a branded bus at the London Pride this year was a symbol of this continual progress.”
Jenni Dyer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion
“I joined the Society in June as Head of Diversity and Inclusion and was delighted to join the Staff and Fellows’ network marching in London Pride. It’s incredibly important for staff and Fellows to have a supportive community through networks and the atmosphere on the parade highlighted the importance of an inclusive community.
“We will continue to champion inclusion throughout the year with a calendar of events including LGBTQ+ in STEM day in November and LGBTQ+ History Month in February. Our work also continues outside of these key awareness days to advocate for and support LGBTQ+ scientists and members of our community.
“Over the next year, I’m looking forward to building on our existing programme of work in line with our diversity and inclusion strategy. In particular, we’re aiming to develop closer ties with our community of Fellows, so if you’re a member of our community, please reach out via diversity@royalsociety.org – we’d love to hear from you.”
