18 Shaping a Sustainable Future with Geology in the Twenty-First Century: Geology and Society Division Turns 22
This broadly interdisciplinary session seeks presentations on how geology positively impacts society for a globally sustainable future through workforce training, scientific advancement, resource development, hazard mitigation, energy challenges, climate change analysis, environmental stewardship, infrastructure development, and international collaboration.
Sunday, 19 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 302B
Celiac Experiences and Considerations in Geoscience Education and the Workplace
Paper number: 18-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Authors
Abstract
Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or simply “celiac,” is an autoimmune disorder estimated to affect between 0.7 and 2.9% of the global population. When an individual with celiac disease consumes the food protein known as gluten, the immune system attacks the lining of the intestinal tract, causing internal damage and provoking a number of symptoms. When I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I was unfamiliar with the complications this condition would bring to many areas of my life, including my career and academic goals. Additionally, it took several years for me to become aware that this condition could be considered a disability. Even today, I find describing my condition as a disability is met with judgement and dismissiveness, even from other members of the celiac-affected community. Between lack of knowledge and insecurity around the legitimacy of my condition, it took time to feel comfortable identifying as disabled. As such, I struggled to properly advocate and secure adequate accommodations for myself due to insufficient communication between myself, my professors, and those around me as I entered the workforce.
As is likely true for many disabilities, a lack of knowledge and understanding is a primary barrier to integration for those with celiac disease in the field of geoscience. Taking courses and completing job tasks are not the only axes of participation within the field—I argue that social interaction, including activities such as networking and team-building events, is a key aspect of career development that can be impacted by lack of accessibility for those with disabilities. In this presentation, I will share how celiac disease had a direct impact on how I experienced geoscience education and how it still affects my experiences in geoscience today. In describing what has worked for me, I show how straightforward simple accommodations for this condition can be and how they can benefit nondisabled individuals as well as those who are disabled. Through explaining how an “invisible disability” like celiac disease can have very visible impacts, I am raising awareness of the legitimacy of severe dietary restrictions as a disability. Finally, I challenge our community to examine what we consider a disability and how we can develop our discipline to create space for all to equally participate.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6
doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412619
© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.