Five institutions have received funding to support promising data collection practices with the goal of broadening access to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical fields from underutilized talent in America's workforce.

The Catalyzing a Data Infrastructure to Support LGBTQ Inclusion initiative has awarded $50,000 each to the institutions as a pilot effort to support implementation of recommendations to improve the collection and use of data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, or SOGI, data. The five institutions are:

• Georgetown University
• San Diego Community College District
• University of Connecticut
• University of Vermont
• Virginia Commonwealth University

Such efforts will support the institutions as they build data infrastructure that allows for the ethical and law-attentive collection and use of SOGI data, with the goal of ensuring fair opportunities for the access and success of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEMM.

"In a time when these communities are facing attacks, this report serves as a vital roadmap for higher education leaders committed to fairness, integrity and the responsible use of data," said Travis York, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the project and head of AAAS's STEMM education and workforce development unit. "Collecting and using this data isn't just about numbers-it's about ensuring that every student, regardless of who they are, has the opportunity to fully participate in the educational experience and contribute to the STEMM fields that shape our future."

York added: "By adopting these recommended practices, institutions are not only protecting the dignity and privacy of LGBTQ+ students, but also strengthening the quality and impact of the research enterprise itself. Now, more than ever, leaders must rise to the challenge and create data systems that reflect the potential of all their students."

Institutional Activities

The activities proposed by institutions to support the collection and use of data span a wide range of considerations including technical, legal and ethical.

Georgetown University, for instance, plans to ensure the technical compatibility of the integration of SOGI data and develop policies that align with relevant laws and protect the privacy of individual community members.

"Infrastructure is a subtle part of a university's data ecosystem," said Trent Kennedy, senior institutional research analyst at Georgetown University. "It doesn't make headlines and it's usually slow to change, but it shapes our work the same way a riverbed shapes the flow of water. We're grateful for this opportunity to make sure our systems are aligned with our values and that LGBTQ+ students and employees who choose to self-identify can show up as their full selves."

Institutions are not just gathering data, but they are also analyzing it to understand SOGI data collection rates across categories to understand and inform data-driven policies to benefit all students, as noted in the San Diego Community College District statement of work.

"We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to strengthen our data infrastructure in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion," said Dr. Michelle Fischthal, vice chancellor of institutional innovation and effectiveness at SDCCD. "This grant allows us to move beyond collecting data and into data-informed action. At SDCCD, we believe our mission of inclusive excellence starts with understanding our all our communities. By improving how we gather and use sexual orientation and gender identity data, we can continue to create learning environments where every student feels seen, valued, and supported in achieving their goals."

The University of Connecticut, where a recent survey found that LGBTQ+ students report a sense of belonging at lower rates than that of their peers, noted that they will train faculty and staff on the importance of and best practices in data collection and use, with the ultimate goal of enabling a greater sense of belonging for all community members.

"UConn is committed to creating an environment where belonging and inclusion drives student success. This project is vital to learning about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students and how UConn can better support their individual journeys throughout their time on campus," said Kelsey O'Neil, director of the Rainbow Center at UConn.

The University of Vermont noted that they will carry out policies and practices that promote "dignity, confidentiality, and fidelity."

"Inclusive excellence is a cornerstone value at the University of Vermont, one we strive to achieve by building coalitions across campus stakeholders and ensuring the education we provide is accessible to all," said Jay Garvey, executive director for the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at the University of Vermont. "We recognize the power and importance of data to promote equity and excellence, and we are grateful to AAAS for supporting our goal of broadening our data infrastructure to uplift LGBTQ+ students and employees."

For Virginia Commonwealth University, the efforts put forth over the course of the year to improve the collection and use of SOGI data at VCU will not just be a one-time project - it will be a long-term practice embedded into the ongoing work of the university.

"VCU's work in this project will focus on faculty data. Extending our work to faculty SOGI data in a way that is responsive to the needs of LGBTQ+ faculty will help VCU continue to cultivate an environment in which all faculty can thrive, be seen, and be supported," said Kamden Strunk, professor of research methodology and fellow, Office of the Provost - Faculty Affairs at VCU.

New Mixed-Methods Study

AAAS has also released a new report in collaboration with the University of Vermont's Queer and Trans People in Education (QTPiE) titled "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data at U.S. Colleges and Universities: A Mixed-Methods National Study." The report covers the results of the first-ever national mixed-methods study to understand the challenges and opportunities postsecondary institutions face related to the collection and use of SOGI data.

The report provides comprehensive benchmarking of the current SOGI data practices of American colleges and universities. It presents findings on institutional leaders' perceptions of SOGI data collection and use; evidence on the effective and ethical collection and use of SOGI data; and a comprehensive set of recommended practices for SOGI data collection to guide colleges and universities' implementation.

The new report is the second to be released by the Catalyzing a Data Infrastructure to Support LGBTQ Inclusion initiative. The first report, written by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law for AAAS and released in 2024, provides a state-by-state and federal analysis of state and federal policies and laws related to sexual orientation and gender identity data collection and use within postsecondary institutions.

What's Next?

AAAS will host a national convening from June 11 to 12 in Washington, D.C., to further explore the findings of the two reports and lessons learned by the five institutions implementing the data recommendations. The Williams Institute and QTPiE will present their respective reports, and pilot schools will offer updates on their projects.

Invitees will include college and university leaders; leaders in higher education, including from associations representing higher education; scholars in the field; and government agency representatives focused on scientific workforce issues.

AAAS, in partnership with QTPiE, will also release additional reports that dive deeper into the data collected for the newly released report. These three reports will examine regional differences in SOGI data; administrator perceptions related to SOGI data; and collection of data on chosen names and pronouns.