Championing Inclusion in STEM: Tyler’s Work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Professor Tyler Kelly

Tyler’s engagement with EDI began early in his academic journey, during his undergraduate studies in the United States. At the time, institutional protections for LGBTQ+ people were limited, and legal protections for trans people did not yet exist. Witnessing discrimination and harassment within university settings made clear the gap between academic ideals and everyday reality. Motivated to effect change, Tyler became Director of Resources for the LGBTQ+ Society at the University of Georgia, where he focused on building support structures for queer and trans students. 

As Tyler’s career progressed and his role became increasingly research-focused, his approach to inclusion evolved. Rather than focusing solely on individual support, Tyler began developing initiatives that addressed systemic barriers within academia. These initiatives aimed to ensure researchers could engage fully with their work: creating platforms for visibility, facilitating organic research networks, and enabling researchers to pursue ambitious ideas without fear of bias or marginalisation. More recently, this work has expanded into shaping institutional policy designed to embed these principles more sustainably. 

Tyler’s campaign work has consistently combined visibility, community-building and policy action. In 2020, while working as a lecturer, he hosted the LGBTQ+ STEMinar, a day-long conference showcasing the advances of LGBTQ+ researchers across STEM disciplines. The event attracted around 250 participants and formed part of the wider LGBTQ+ STEM project, with which Tyler remains involved. 

In subsequent years, Tyler has focused particularly on inclusion within mathematics. He founded and co-organised a biannual conference for LGBTQ+ researchers in algebraic geometry and number theory, known as Spec(ℚ), along with its sequel. These conferences created rare, discipline-specific spaces where LGBTQ+ mathematicians could connect, collaborate and be visible within their field. 

Alongside this work, Tyler has played an active role in shaping practice within learned societies. As a member of the London Mathematical Society’s Committee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics, Tyler contributed to the development of inclusive policies that cut across protected characteristics and career stages. Notably, he co-authored the LMS’s Advice on Creating a Positive Environment at Events, which provides guidance on accessibility and inclusivity for organisers. 

More recently, Tyler’s work has expanded through the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Plus Fund. With a team of co-organisers, Tyler secured funding to convene national round-table discussions with professional bodies and learned societies on LGBTQ+ inclusion in STEM. These discussions focused on best practice, structural barriers and practical strategies for improvement. The project also established the first nationwide mentorship network for LGBTQ+ early career researchers in mathematics and statistics. Following a successful first year, the second round of the mentorship scheme is now being launched, alongside reports documenting key findings and lessons learned. 

Alongside these initiatives, Tyler continues to advance his research while contributing to sector-wide policy development. He is currently a member of the REF 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel, supporting the REF team across the exercise—from criteria setting to assessment—with a particular focus on recognising diverse roles, career paths and career stages. 

Tyler has also been appointed as an EPSRC EDI Hub+ Inclusion Advocate, a role focused on strengthening institutional support for LGBTQ+ researchers in STEM. He notes that LGBTQ+ people have historically been overlooked in research inclusion efforts, often due to systemic invisibility shaped by past legislation and data collection practices. Addressing this legacy, Tyler’s work aims to bring LGBTQ+ inclusion into closer alignment with other established EDI priorities across the research sector. 

Reflecting on the broader picture, Tyler emphasises that many of today’s barriers are the long-term consequences of historical oppression. While progress has been made, discrimination and systemic challenges remain realities for many queer and trans researchers. Through his work, Tyler hopes to make tangible improvements—but stresses that meaningful change depends on allies stepping forward as well. 

“As a sector, now is the time to act,” Tyler says, pointing to the importance of shared responsibility in building inclusive research environments for the future.