SCIENTIST AND SPEAKER, DR CLARA BARKER
Championing diversity in STEM
TESTIMONIALS
“Before I saw Clara speak I was about to quit because I had never met another transgender scientist”
- 2nd Year Biology Student
Science needs everyone
LGBTQI+ people have always been in science but far too many feel they have to hide who they are. Others deny themselves the opportunity to follow their career dreams because they don’t believe they would be welcome. And it isn’t just LGBTQI+ people, we know others minoritised in STEM and academia face similar challenges.
I underperformed for years, not because of lack of talent, but because of the energy I spent concealing my true self. Before transitioning I nearly changed career because I feared being kicked out of science.
Luckily I found out I can be myself and follow my passion for science.
We need to build trust and visibility
14 years into my career, I had only met two openly LGBTQI+ scientists. I knew there must be more, concealing their true identities.
That’s why I share my story, so I can be a role model for people who, like me, felt they had no place in science.
If we only take our scientists from a small, elite pool, we limit the potential of scientific progress. And when people like me can be ourselves in our jobs, we are free to focus all our energies on moving science forwards.
What does Increasing Diversity in STEM look like?
Role Modelling
When I get up on stages and tell my story I reassure people like me that they are not alone. I also show people who have never met someone like me that science is for everyone.
Diversity Consulting
I sit on diversity boards and panels bringing my lived experience and professional expertise to organisations with a genuine commitment to diversity.
Science Communication
In my YouTube channel I am just Clara, sharing my passion for materials science and the everyday items that have been improved by this fascinating field. (Alongside my nerdy passions!)
“I go out of my way to let people know that being female, being transgender, being of any minority, is not a barrier to being a scientist”
- Dr Clara Barker
Feedback
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Thank you for taking the time to participate in our panel discussion, "The impact of EDI Policy in Physics" Your Insights and knowledge made the conversation incredibly inspiring and meaningful for everyone. We truly appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and contribute to an important discussion about equity, diversity, and inclusion in physics and related fields.
Online Women in Physics panel at Toronto University, 2026
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It was so great and I am very thankful that you found the time and have been so open and even funny (despite the seriousness of the topic)! Your talks are great and judging by all the things that I heard/read from the audience, they found it amazing, too! Thanks for all this work that you do
iScientist, Berlin, 2019
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I wanted to thank you for your amazing talk for the LBNL Transgender Day of Visibility event. The event was really well attended, and I hope you got to see all of the comments during the presentation, your words and message really resonated with the audience and all of us. Thank you so very much! The Nuclear Science Division has a way of giving meaningful thanks around the areas of IDEA. I would like to present you with a Luminary Card, not just for your efforts on the TDOV event, but for the overall support that you provide for global IDEA efforts. It is greatly appreciated!
- Online Keynote, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory TDOV Event, 2023
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I just wanted to drop you a brief email to thank you again for making the journey to join us on Friday evening. This was the first time we’ve run an event like this and you helped to make it a huge success. We all very much enjoyed your presentation and the feedback from everybody was overwhelmingly positive.
GSK Winter party, 2023
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Thank you so much again for your brilliant insights during our History Month event- we absolutely loved having you there and are looking forward to continuing our collaboration for future initiatives!
Pride 2026 event at IBM
