Advancing Data Infrastructures to Support LGBTQ+ Students and Scholars

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

As has long been the case with measuring gender and race information at U.S. academic institutions, collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data could help identify barriers LGBTQ people face at STEMM institutions. The data would aid in developing accountability systems to protect against bias and discrimination. Colleges and universities, informed by this data, could create programs to foster more supportive and inclusive STEMM pathways for LGBTQ students and scholars.

The proposed panel will discuss the current enthusiasm, momentum, and challenges in collecting more robust SOGI data. The discussion will start with Drs. York & Suárez discussing the SOGI data landscape of higher education and highlighting the work of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in partnership with the University of Vermont’s Queer and Trans People in Education (QTPiE) and UCLA’s Williams Institute, to increase the capacity and quality of SOGI data collection in higher education. We will then broaden this discussion from an institutional context to the broader educational research field with a discussion of SOGI Data challenges and opportunities presented by Drs. Freeman & Christopher.

Primary Goals of the Session
1. Increase understanding amongst Education Researchers of current sociopolitical landscape for STEM and SOGI data collection in higher education
2. Provide opportunities for collaboration across sectors, including education researchers and governmental officials
3. Building out data capacity and data infrastructure to center the safety of queer and trans students

Sub Unit

• AERA Research and Science Policy Sessions

Cosponsor

• SIG-Queer Studies

Chair/Moderator

• Travis T. York, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Papers

• Postsecondary Legal Landscape of SOGI Data (Phase 1): Evolving and Prevailing - Travis T. York, American Association for the Advancement of Science

• Preliminary Results From Phase 2: Actions and Perceptions - Mario I Suárez, Utah State University

• Challenges and Opportunities Within the Federal SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Data Landscape - Jon Freeman, Columbia University

• Building Data Capacity to Inform SOGI Research - Elise Christopher, National Center for Education Statistics

• Perspective on Advancing LGBTQ+ Federal Data - Kei Koizumi, The White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy