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Personal profile

Research interests

I am a critical social scientist abased in the School of Humanities and Social Science.

My primary research interests include the body/embodiment in relation to gender, sexuality, exercise/health inequalities,  with a specific focus on improving trans and non-binary people's participation and inclusion in movement, grassroots sport and physical activity. Other topics include LGBTQ+ youth/community, qualitative, creative and participatory research methods and trans feminist/queer theory, and working across disciplines (eg, social psychology and sociology).

After completing my PhD at Brighton, I worked as a Researcher for the UK charity Mermaids, who support trans, non-binary and gender diverse children, young people and their families.

 

Approach to teaching

My approach to teaching draws on the importance of accessibility, simplicity and listening to the student experience. This is because I think the best kind of teaching works torwards changing systems, not people, and breaking down language barriers in education.

I use bell hook’s work on engaged pedagogy, enjoy using creative methods to explain difficult theoertical concepts which (hopefully) then in turn help students to understand social inequalities in relatable ways. I encourage students to share resources, methods and techniques which centre their own lived experiences.

Supervisory Interests

I am third supervisor for a TECHNE funded PhD candidate, whose research explores heritage visbility for gender diverse young people in the Traveller, Gypsy and Romany (GRT) community.

Knowledge exchange

I am a member of the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, and was previously the external expert for the Cross-School Research Ethics Committee (School of Humanities and Social Science, 2021 - 2023).

Keywords

  • H Social Sciences (General)
  • Transgender, non-binary, exercise, the body/embodiment, health.
  • trans feminist theory

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