An interview with Matt Davis

Name: Matt Davis

Current Job: PhD Candidate

Scientific Discipline/Field: Conservation Biology/Ecology

Country: Australia (via the USA)

Pick some letters (L,G,B,T,Q,+, etc.): G

Website: http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/matt-davis

Twitter or other social media handle (if applicable): Twitter: @m_davis8802 ; Instagram: @davis900

What does your job involve?

My study is investigating water provisioning as a wildlife management tool and how wildlife (with a focus on large mammals) interact/behave around water resources in north-eastern Botswana.

How did you get to this job (education etc.)?

Various field experience working on the African continent, as well as an undergrad degree in Wildlife Management and a masters in Conservation Science.

Do you feel being LGBT has affected your career decisions?

Both yes and no. Very separate parts of my life but part of the reason I chose my current university was the location and its openness/acceptance towards the LGBT+ community.

Have you had any reactions from colleagues about being LGBT, either good or bad?

I have definitely had reactions but fortunately all have been positive. I’m very open about my sexual orientation and always happy to chat with colleagues about it, if anything to bring the awareness level up.

Did you have any role models growing up (LGBT, STEM, totally unrelated…)?

I definitely had role models, both within STEM and completely unrelated. Unfortunately none of these role models were part of the LGBT community (or at least to my knowledge), and I think I would have benefited from more representation especially in my younger university years.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m hoping to either go into academia as a researcher/lecturer or work in the research sector.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m glad that communities like this exist, as I think I would have benefited a lot when I was a young(er) person in STEM. I think we take for granted that representation matters, and I hope that by being out and proud myself I can be that person for young scientists.