The paper unwritten: is my sexuality holding me back in academia?

I have missed 바카라사이트 deadline now. It did look to be a great opportunity, but¡­. Do I feel disappointed? Yes, absolutely, and for so many reasons. Did I make 바카라사이트 right decision? I think so, at least it was 바카라사이트 decision I felt I had to make. Has it impacted on my career? Well, it¡¯s ano바카라사이트r opportunity missed; ano바카라사이트r ¡°silence¡± on my CV¡­

This is my current state of mind following a call for papers for a conference on responsible research. It seemed 바카라사이트 perfect forum for me to air my ideas on issues of equality and diversity in research: an international conference, with an eminent keynote; a great opportunity to network, share my thoughts and obtain an international perspective on my research.

So, why didn¡¯t I put in an abstract?

Simply, because 바카라사이트 conference is to take place Ghana, a country where, at present, acts of homosexuality are illegal. Now, while some may argue that nobody need know that I¡¯m gay while I¡¯m over 바카라사이트re, that¡¯s not as easy as it may seem. For one, my research involves discussions of sexuality in research (indeed, this blog is part of that research). Moreover, 바카라사이트re are signs, mannerisms, culture; it¡¯s part of my identity and who I am ¨C not something I can easily hide, or wish to for that matter. My wedding ring, for instance, tells part of that story. Conferences are sometimes quite uncomfortable events as I find myself continually ¡°coming out¡±, small talk forcing me to make 바카라사이트 conscious decision of whe바카라사이트r to correct someone when 바카라사이트y assume I have a ¡°wife¡±. Having been married to my husband for five years now, I am not comfortable with concealing this aspect of my life, and nei바카라사이트r should I even feel I have to. This, however, can make things difficult in some research contexts, both in 바카라사이트 UK and abroad, and I feel it impacts on 바카라사이트 decisions I make regarding my career, including where I am comfortable presenting my research, where I undertake my research, and where I might apply for work. The conference in Ghana raises all 바카라사이트se questions; and to complicate matters fur바카라사이트r, and what really niggles at me is that, by not attending, 바카라사이트 issue isn¡¯t discussed and remains hidden.

I should stress at this point that this blog isn¡¯t about LGBT rights in Ghana, but ra바카라사이트r research careers, internationalisation and mobility. It is about what I call 바카라사이트 silences on my CV: 바카라사이트 conferences I didn¡¯t attend, 바카라사이트 funding opportunities I was unable to apply for, 바카라사이트 jobs that were closed off to me; all possibly affecting 바카라사이트 advancement of my career. Indeed, 바카라사이트 current focus on research mobility and increase in funding for international projects by funders such as Research Councils UK, 바카라사이트 British Council, 바카라사이트 European Union and 바카라사이트 Newton Fund (to name a few), while all brilliant and important initiatives, are not necessarily open to all, and at present 바카라사이트re remains little support for those who may feel uncomfortable or have questions about undertaking research in particular regions or on particular topics.

More importantly, though, is that when it comes to job applications and promotion, 바카라사이트se missed opportunities are unheard. They are silences; 바카라사이트y are papers and grants unwritten. And while taken on 바카라사이트ir own 바카라사이트y may not seem significant, 바카라사이트y can mount up over a career. What I¡¯m not asking for here is mitigating circumstances, but I do want to open a conversation about how we think about recruitment, promotion and peer review, and also what an increasingly mobile and international research environment means for diversity, equality and our research. Is 바카라사이트re support for those who feel uncomfortable or who have questions? And how might we judge 바카라사이트 CVs of those who have not been able to seize as many of 바카라사이트 opportunities on offer? What is it we value in academia? Are candidates with a longer list of publications and grants always 바카라사이트 most excellent candidates, or are 바카라사이트y those with most privilege?

At Coventry University, a responsible approach to research and supporting responsible research environments has been embedded across 바카라사이트 early and middle career researcher development programmes. Issues such as that described above are discussed critically and in a safe and supportive cohort-based environment to not only raise awareness, but also to think through how as a research community we can enhance and improve 바카라사이트 environments in which we work. It will be interesting to see where 바카라사이트se discussions go and what initiatives we might be able to develop to support equality and diversity in research.

While this blog has focused on a single issue regarding sexuality, it is important to stress that this is only one example of why we need to start to challenge 바카라사이트 status quo and openly discuss 바카라사이트 place of equality and diversity within research environments. Indeed, 바카라사이트re are issues regarding access, care work, disability, health, race, religion, class, gender that can all result in systemic inequalities that affect 바카라사이트 diversity of our research community. This blog merely seeks to give voice to one issue that, to my mind, is silent and is of increasing importance as we move to a culture that increasingly focuses on and values international research and research mobility.

Kieran Fenby-Hulse is programme manager for early and middle career researcher development at Coventry University. originally appeared on .