Queer Science Competition
You may have heard about the achievements and experiences of gay mathematician Alan Turing: there’s a building named after him at Exeter Science Park, a film made about his life (The Imitation Game), and he even features on the reverse of polymer Bank of England £50 notes! But why don’t we know more Lesbian, Gay, Bi/Pan, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics?
Through the Queer Science Competition (QSC), PRISM Exeter - in partnership with the Intercom Trust, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Exeter - is challenging secondary school, college, and university students across the South West to discover lesser-known LGBTQIA+ scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics and celebrate them. We want to know whose life and/or work you find inspiring and why.
The competition entries will be judged by a panel of PRISM Exeter coordinators who are employed across the University of Exeter, the Met Office, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter Science Park and TechExeter.
One winner will receive a cash prize of £100 and two runners-up will each receive a cash prize of £50. As the theme for LGBT+ History Month 2024 is “Medicine - #UnderTheScope”, we have teamed up with Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to offer a special additional prize for this year’s competition. The highest ranked entry championing an LGBTQ+ medical professional will have their entry transformed into a poster to be displayed in the Trust's hospitals and be invited to spend 0.5 - 7 days work experience with the Trust!
Click here for the full list of terms and conditions, including eligibility criteria.
Unsure where to start your search for your champion? See our 'Getting started' section below for tips on how to get started with your search!
We have compiled a resources pack for teachers and community groups leaders who wish to feature our competition in their classes during LGBT+ History Month 2024. Click here to download the QSC 2024 Resources Pack.