Dr. Marco Reggiani on Why EDI Matters in STEMM

I work at the intersection of urban and regional studies, STEMM education, and inclusive and responsible engineering. My research adopts an intersectional lens to examine the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, women, and other marginalized groups, with the aim of understanding and removing longstanding barriers to inclusion in fields historically shaped by a lack of EDI.

I am interested in how research environments are structured, who feels able to belong within them, and whose knowledge is recognized. Inclusion is not simply something “nice to have,” it is essential to creating more just research cultures and, in my experience, to producing better science and engineering.

Inclusive environments enable diverse perspectives to come together, which is key to innovation and to addressing complex societal challenges.

Curiosity has always been a key driver of my career choices, particularly a desire to understand how the world is shaped by and for people. This interest led me to study both building engineering and architecture as ways to make sense of how cities and regions are organized and how they might become more sustainable and just.

Over time, I realized that I was increasingly drawn to the sociological and organizational aspects of science, exploring how knowledge is produced and how research environments shape people’s experiences. As a result, my work became decisively more interdisciplinary after completing my PhD, and my focus on EDI and inclusivity in STEMM grew out of a wish to systematically understand and improve the experiences of marginalized people working within these fields.

My research shows that the barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ people entering and progressing in STEMM are complex and multifaceted. These include overt and subtle forms of hostility, challenges around visibility and disclosure, lack of tailored support and opportunities, and specific risks tied to fieldwork and travel.

What has become particularly clear to me through this work is that these barriers do not only affect well-being; they also generate significant emotional labor, often requiring LGBTQIA+ people to invest additional energy simply to sustain their careers. That said, progress has been made, albeit unevenly. Learned societies and community networks, such as Pride in STEM in the UK, have increasingly amplified queer voices in STEMM. Tailored mentoring, dedicated funding for inclusive initiatives, and institutional accountability can be highly effective. At a time when EDI work is being contested in the US and elsewhere, strengthening these efforts feels especially important.

My work sits between STEMM and the social sciences, a position I find both rewarding and necessary. I particularly enjoy working with people who are committed to their research and motivated to make a positive difference through it.

This role has given me access to opportunities and spaces I never imagined, and has allowed me to speak to diverse audiences across countries, something that feels especially meaningful to me as a first‑generation university graduate with no insider knowledge of academia. Some of my proudest achievements include co‑creating StrathPride, the LGBTQIA+ staff and PGR/PGT network at the University of Strathclyde, influencing institutional policy and practice, and publishing some of the first UK‑focused research on LGBTQIA+ people in STEM. Seeing this work making a tangible difference is deeply fulfilling.

I would say: prioritize your wellbeing, especially your mental health, and remember that you are not alone. Find allies and mentors who support you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help; there are people who genuinely want to help you thrive. Seek out a wide range of opportunities, even those that may not seem immediately relevant. Build networks, connect with others, and share your ideas. At the same time, be gentle with yourself. Research careers are complex, and learning how to navigate them takes time. I am still learning myself, and that is okay.