18-5 Celiac Experiences and Considerations in Geoscience Education and the Workplace

Session: Shaping a Sustainable Future with Geology in the Twenty-First Century: Geology and Society Division Turns 22

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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 Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-7213

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