| oSTEM, Inc. | |
| Formation: | 2005 |
| Full Name: | Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Incorporated |
| Founder: | Eric Patridge, PhD |
| Type: | Nonprofit |
| Area Served: | International |
| Headquarters: | Michigan, USA |
| Leader Title: | Executive Director and CEO |
| Leader Name: | Lilian Martinez |
| Leader Title2: | President |
| Leader Name2: | Matthew Welmers |
| Subsidiaries: | Queer in AI |
| Num Staff: | 3 |
| Volunteers: | 90 |
| Website: | https://www.ostem.org/ |
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Inc., abbreviated oSTEM, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community.
In October of 2005. IBM sponsored a focus group where students from across the United States convened at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C. These students discussed topics relevant to LGBTQ+ communities at their colleges and universities. They debated how to structure an organization that serves students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[1]
Founded in 2009, the organization was granted 501(c)(3) status in 2010. oSTEM currently consists of more than 100 chapters across the United States and the United Kingdom.
oSTEM strives to identify, address, and advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ students and professionals within the STEM fields. oSTEM fulfills these needs by providing networking opportunities, mentorship connections, strategic collaborations, and professional/leadership development, as well as an annual global conference.[2] [3]
oSTEM hosts annual conferences[4] [5] that discuss LGBTQ+ topics in STEM as well as intelligence fields.[6] Topics discussed include inclusion, outreach, and diversity within the workplace.[7] [8] The goal of workshops, talks, and networking events for LGBTQ+ people is to help them integrate and move up in their fields.[9] The fourth annual conference was hosted jointly with the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals' Out to Innovate in Atlanta in 2014.[10]
On July 5, 2018, oSTEM along with Pride in STEM,[11] House of STEM,[12] and InterEngineering[13] created international awareness for LGBTQ+ people in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.[14]
oSTEM presents a variety of awards annually to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a strong dedication to advancing and empowering LGBTQ+ in STEM fields.[15]
According to the oSTEM website, "This award recognizes volunteers who have gone above and beyond to bring oSTEM to new heights in the last year. The Executive Board recognizes volunteers who have demonstrated their drive to achieve great things and push our organization to grow. In the past, awardees have been recognized for creating our scholarship program, spearheading the pivot to an online format for our cornerstone event during COVID, cultivating and expanding institutional support for professional members and collegiate members, and stepping into leadership roles with grace and professionalism. oSTEM is powered by the hard work and commitment of our volunteers."[16]
Previous awardees include:
The oSTEM Global STEM Service Award is given to present and past oSTEM members who show strong dedication to inclusion, diversity, and equality for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized individuals in STEM fields.[17]
Awardees are:
The oSTEM Strategic Alliance Award is presented to a current sponsoring organization, community partner, or grant provider of oSTEM who demonstrates strong dedication, engagement, and support to oSTEM and its values.
Awardees are:
The oSTEM Partner Excellence Award is presented to individuals associated with oSTEM accomplished in their much academic or professional lives who regularly advocate for the full inclusion of people of all marginalized identities.
Awardees are:
The Overall Student Chapter of the Year is given to oSTEM chapters that educate, empower, and engage a diverse community. These chapters contrihelp a lot with finding LGBTQ students in the STEM community, helping them, and speaking up for themselves are:
The Rookie Student Chapter of the Year celebrates achievements by oSTEM chapters that have been founded within two years of application submission.
Awardees are:
There are over 100 chapters affiliated with the parent organization. Chapters are organized into six geographic regions (A–F) and a region that encompasses all chapters dedicated specifically to graduate students.
The six regions are:
The first professional chapter is currently being tested in the Boston metropolitan area. In 2020, there was a shift to a virtual professional chapter with members in the United States and United Kingdom, with a number of smaller in-person events occurring in those two regions.