Kristyn Carter is a PhD student at the University of Glasgow in the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation. She is also the founder of Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (MiSTEAM), an organisation providing a space for minorities working/studying in these fields.
In this vlog, Kristyn says Black History Month matters to her because “it is an entire month dedicated to not only elevating Black voices but to creating visibility and awareness of the experience of Black people.”
In the wave of the Black Lives Matter movement, Kristyn says her hope for Black History Month in the UK is to “continue to have honest conversations about racism and take steps to not only protect but also support the Black community.
“My organisation Minorities in STEAM aims to increase visibility and foster a network of support for those who are historically excluded from their field. It is my hope that through this network we can increase representation in these fields and encourage minorities who might otherwise feel unsupported.”
Kristyn moved to Glasgow from the United States because she was inspired by the story of Dr James McCune Smith, the first African American to achieve a medical degree, graduating from the University in 1837. After achieving her masters of Immunology at the University, she is continuing her studies, researching the underlying immune mechanisms of soft tissue diseases. Find out more about how Kristyn was inspired to study at Glasgow.
Register to join @MiSTEAMGlasgow on 22 October for their first virtual event: Discussing the term BAME. The event will feature a discussion around the history and use of the term as well as a breakout space to share thoughts and experiences.
There is still time to sign up for our first event. We will be diving deep into the meaning of the acronym BAME and hope to hear some interesting opinions. pic.twitter.com/XMv0yxlLuN
— MiSTEAM (@MiSTEAMGlasgow) October 12, 2020