Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
I am a critical psychologist based 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, discourse analysis and feminist/trans feminist/queer theory, and working across disciplines (e.g., 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. This gave me a valuable understanding of how research can be used to change lives and have the power to make a real and lasting difference.
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 towards 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 slippery theoretical 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 colead supervisor for a PhD candidate who is researching gender creative parenting using creative research methods. I am also 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 sit on the management board for the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender
Education/Academic qualification
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, University of Brighton
1 Oct 2023 → 1 Nov 2024
Award Date: 29 Nov 2024
PhD, The Lived Experiences of Transgender and Non-Binary People in Everyday Sport and Physical Exercise in the UK, University of Brighton
1 Oct 2017 → 1 Nov 2021
Award Date: 1 Nov 2021
Master, Gender Studies (Distinction), University of Sussex
Award Date: 1 Sept 2016
Keywords
- H Social Sciences (General)
- Transgender, non-binary, exercise, the body/embodiment, health.
- trans feminist theory
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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CCR: Creativity, Community and Resilience
Jenzen, O. (PI), Barras, A. (CoI), Pearce, R. (CoI) & Reed, L. (CoI)
Arts and Humanities Research Council
1/08/24 → 31/07/26
Project: Research Councils / Government Depts.
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The invisibility of trans men in sport and sporting spaces
Barras, A., 23 May 2024, Routledge Handbook of Sport, Leisure, and Social Justice. Lawrence, S., Hill, J. & Mowatt, R. (eds.). 1 ed. UK: Routledge, p. 85-98 14 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBN › Chapter › peer-review
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Transgender and Non-Binary People in Everyday Sport: A Trans Feminist Approach to Improving Inclusion
Barras, A., 20 Sept 2024, 1 ed. UK: Routledge. 200 p. (Gender and Sexualities in Psychology)Research output: Book/Report › Book - authored › peer-review
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Young People and Sport
Barras, A., 20 Mar 2023, 28 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile -
‘Cos not everyone wants to talk, they prefer to do, to move’: circuits of trans embodied pleasure and inclusion in sport and physical exercise
Barras, A. & Frith, H., 10 Oct 2023, In: Sport, Education and Society. p. 1-15 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
“[He] can be supportive, but at times I feel he is ashamed of me”: understanding the relationship between parental support and quality of life amongst trans and gender diverse youth in the UK
Barras, A. & Jones, B. A., 28 Nov 2023, In: International Journal of Transgender Health. 25, 1, p. 90-101 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access