Being Black and Trans in STEM

Nic Farmer grew up in South London with Ghanaian parents, trained as a sprinter alongside Olympians, and now leads race equity work at the Medical Research Council. He's also a trans-masculine professional who transitioned in the workplace. In this conversation with Steve Fuller, Nic unpacks what it means to sit at the intersection of being Black and trans — where trans spaces can still hold anti-Blackness, and Black spaces can still be uncomfortable with his trans identity. He shares the daily realities of passing, the exhaustion of going stealth in unsafe environments, and how he uses his privilege to advocate for his community. The discussion also covers Nic's work managing the Black and Biomedical Research Advisory Group, the case for why diversity drives innovation in life sciences, and practical guidance for anyone unsure how to approach trans colleagues — starting with simply introducing yourself with your pronouns. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!