Columbia psychology faculty member Jon Freeman explains the role he played in a data collection change that could help retain people in STEM who identify as LGBTQ+.

In May, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced plans to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in its Survey of Earned Doctorates. This annual exit survey collects data from individuals who receive research doctorates from U.S. institutions and has been a critical tool for tracking the composition of the U.S. research workforce since 1957. The decision to add these questions is a significant milestone for Jon Freeman, an associate professor of psychology at Columbia University, who has been campaigning for this change for six years to address LGBTQ+ disparities.

Freeman’s research at Columbia’s Social Cognitive & Neural Sciences lab focuses on understanding how people perceive others and react to social groupings. His interest in LGBTQ+ disparities in STEM began when he learned about the challenges faced by junior LGBTQ+ scientists. He realized the lack of data on LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields contributed to the invisibility of their issues.

In 2018, Freeman published an opinion piece in Nature, calling for more robust efforts to retain LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM. His investigation revealed significant disparities: LGBTQ+ individuals face more career barriers and workplace harassment, are underrepresented, and are more likely to abandon STEM majors compared to their peers.

To address these issues, Freeman advocated for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity questions in the NSF’s surveys. Despite initial resistance, Freeman and his colleagues persisted, with efforts including multiple Freedom of Information Act requests, a letter to the NSF director signed by 1,700 scientists, and a scientific integrity complaint. These efforts, supported by members of Congress and major scientific organizations, culminated in the NSF's recent announcement.

Freeman's analysis of pilot data showed that respondents were generally comfortable answering LGBTQ+ questions, contradicting claims that such questions were too invasive. He hopes this data will drive policy changes and improve retention of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM by fostering a sense of belonging and visibility.

The inclusion of these questions in the Survey of Earned Doctorates represents a critical step towards addressing LGBTQ+ disparities in STEM, ensuring that LGBTQ+ equity is recognized as an essential aspect of diversity in science.

Read the full article about LGBTQ+ disparities at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.