PRISM Exeter is a small-but-mighty regional network of LGBT+ professionals across the South West England STEMM sector. The group challenges cis-heteronormative views of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) that are traditionally held in society (and presented in the media) by championing the work of LGBT+ professionals in these fields.
To combat the dearth of LGBT+ role models in STEMM fields beyond Alan Turing, PRISM Exeter devised their Queer Science Competition. Running bi-annually during UK LGBT+ History Month between 2020 and 2024, this competition provided cash and work experience incentives to encourage secondary school, college and university students across South West England to discover LGBT+ scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics for themselves. Entrants were tasked with summarising – in just 300 words or a 3 minute video – what the person did, how they identified and, most importantly, how the person inspired them.
Educational resources, which include posters, postcards, videos and class activities, have been produced in collaboration with Schools OUT to share these stories of inspiration more widely.
Schools OUT have been working for over 50 years to #educateOUTpreudice and #Usualise LGBT+ lives. Through education and advocacy, we empower people in all learning settings to create environments where all LGBT+ people feel safe, seen, and supported.
Schools OUT founded UK LGBT+ History Month. The 2026 theme was revealed at a special event at the Royal Society of Chemistry last week at which these resources were launched.
You can download the resources here