Welcome to the Tasmanian Chapter of QueersInScience! We may be a small state, but what we lack in size we make up for in passion. If you are a queer Tasmanian either in STEM, or thinking of commencing a career in science, we would love you to join us on our journey. Sign up to our state social media links and find out more below.
The Tasmanian Chapter of QueersInScience launched in late 2019 and quickly grew to 50 members within its first year. We aim to provide support and networking opportunities to the sometimes isolated Tasmanian community of LGBTQIA+ scientists and their friends. Throughout the year we host a range of local events including drinks at the pub, colloquia, and trivia nights. We also collaborate with other states to give access to national events and provide local members opportunities to make their mark in the broader QueersInScience organisation as part of committees and advocacy groups. Public outreach opportunities are also possible depending on member availability.
TAS
QueersInScience participated in its first Pride Parade in 2021, and despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions, had seven members take part on the day. We are proud that our presence at the parade was able to bust the stereotype that science is not for queers, a view seemingly entrenched even in a few of the LGBTQIA+ supportive spectators.
Pronouns: he/him
Lecturer and ARC Research Fellow at The University of Tasmania
Ross is an authentic inbred Tasmanian with family dating back over 200 years. He studies the physics of black holes, their role in the evolution of galaxies, and their use as standard rulers in cosmology. He also has research interests in computational earth sciences in Antarctica through his connection to The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.
Pronouns: he/him
Zachary is originally from Mumbai where he completed his Bachelor of Science with a double major in Botany and Zoology. He moved to Tasmania, to pursue his Master of Applied Science in Biological Science. His thesis saw him work on the patterns and processes of temperature mediated sexual selection in White’s skinks. His primary study areas are in the field of ethology and behavioral ecology. He is also an avowed theatre geek and is passionate on using the medium for science communication.
Pronouns: he/him
PhD Candidate at The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies & The Centre for Marine Socioecology
Peter is a marine bi-ologist, interested in exploring anthropogenic impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Archaeology before moving to Tasmania for postgraduate studies. Peter is trying to detect the physiological effects of plastic ingestion on seabird health using analytical and metagenomic tools.
Pronouns: they/he
PhD Candidate at School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania
Ink is a wildlife conservation ecologist, with passion to prevent extinction of animal species and the destruction of their habitats. Their Honours thesis was on establishing baseline information for a long-term wildlife monitoring program. The project informed possible trajectories for restoration plantings and emerging threats in temperate agricultural landscapes. For their PhD, Ink is studying the evolution of super-invasive alien species in Tasmania and how we can harness ecological processes, particularly interspecific competition, to control populations of black rats.
