I am a queer graduate student passionate about behavioural neuroendocrinology-the study of how hormones in the brain influence behaviour. From the start of my academic journey, I have admired my professors’ dedication, fully aware of how competitive and challenging it is to secure such prestigious positions—positions that I hope to hold one day.
In the Western world, the anti-science movement has been gaining momentum, particularly following the re-election of a certain individual. Specifically, sex (and gender) research has been targeted by spreading misinformation, political attacks on LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and funding cuts. For example, academics on BlueSky have compiled a list of over 790 grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Sciences that have been terminated. The topics of these grants span research that directly links to the physical and mental health of women, pregnant people, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, neurodivergent people, and people of colour.
Because of the link between hormone signalling and sex research, the field of behavioural neuroendocrinology has faced recent scrutiny due to misunderstandings about transgenic mouse models and their role in preclinical research, with the President of the U.S. claiming that millions of taxpayer dollars were being spent on “transgender mice.” In fact, such research (using transGENIC) mice aims to understand the biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in brain function and behaviour, which can inform medical treatments for a range of conditions affecting both cisgender and transgender individuals (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer, and gender dysphoria). Following this, established researchers in this field have had their grants terminated, and up-and-coming trainees are losing opportunities.
Although such extremes haven’t been observed in Canada, there is a growing sense of discomfort as a trainee in a field that is seemingly being misconstrued and undervalued. For instance, many journals where we aim to publish our work (e.g., Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience and Biology of Sex Differences) are often led by American editors and publishers. Therefore, Canadian research on such topics can still be censored and rejected for publication. There are days when the uncertainty feels overwhelming, and I wonder if my work will be supported or if I’ll have to defend its legitimacy. Yet, I’m inspired by peers and colleagues at Memorial, such as Dr. Ashlyn Swift-Gallant and Dr. Lindsay Cahill, who remind me that meaningful change is never easy and that our work is important, especially right now.
Despite the challenges, there is a growing movement within academia and beyond to advocate for science and, more specifically, research on sex and gender. Organizations, educators, and researchers are speaking out, advocating for evidence-based policy, and ensuring that sex research continues to inform and empower everyone.
As someone who hopes to become a professor and mentor the next generation of scientists, I know the path ahead won’t always be easy. But for those planning to stay in academia, it’s more important than ever to remain resilient, advocate fiercely for our research, and support one another. By standing up for science and each other, we can help ensure that the voices and discoveries in our field remain diverse and continue to make a difference, no matter the challenges.