Laetitia Zeeman

Dr Laetitia Zeeman has developed a research and scholarly focus in the field of gender, sexualities and health. The central principles of this work question key discourses of health to recognise the strengths and abilities of people when they face adversity or have gained experience of health problems. When health discourses are actively deconstructed, via the narratives people tell of their lives, we make visible how these stories inform identify formation and wellbeing. The overarching aim of this work is to take account of the health and social inequalities that underpin adversity, and more specifically to reduce the inequalities of specific populations. By opening up discourses of health and healthcare, and by tackling health inequalities, we can re-imagine participatory and socially just healthcare systems and clinical practice leading to material change.

She currently serves on the management board for the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at University of Brighton and is a member of Mental Health Nurse Academics UK (MHNAUK). Former roles include research leadership for Mental Health at the School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, leadership for Mental Health Nursing at University of Pretoria in South Africa, and course leadership for BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice at University of Southampton after working as a Clinical Governance manager in UK healthcare at the Priory. 

Dr Laetitia Zeeman undertook research evolving from mental health practice by means of critical discourse analysis to understand the discursive construction of gender, including the patriarchal discourse in post-apartheid South Africa. This work questioned normative formations of gender and made visible how cultural and social change occurs in the margins, where gender identity, gender expression and the related relational practices of women moved beyond binary formations towards gender plurality.

Health4LGBTI

More recent research with Prof Nigel Sherriff and the Health4LGBTI consortium, for the European Commission "Health4LGBTI: Reducing health inequalities experienced by LGBTI people" explores the impact of social determinants on the health and healthcare inequalities of LGBTI people. The political aim of this work is to address the causes of inequalities  experienced by minority groups. This research considers how barriers can be overcome by health professionals when providing care for LGBTI people, and how to address the obstacles LGBTI people face when accessing healthcare. The output informs health service development and delivery for those who lead non-normative lives by acknowledging gender and sexual diversity. The research included developing a training programme for health professionals to address the specific health needs of LGBTI people. This programme has been used widely in healthcare settings to inform medical and nursing curricula, as well as offering training for health professionals.

Further research included a critique of discourses that shape mental health practice with the introduction of innovative roles such as the mental health practitioner role in the UK. This initiative was designed to address workforce shortages in contemporary mental health practice.

Supervision support can be provided to PhD students who are interested in queer theory, poststructuralism, the application of critical social theory, new materialism, intersectionality and feminist theory in health-related research. Focus areas include LGBTQ+ health and healthcare, resilience, trans health and mental health promotion. PhD students that she has supervised to completion worked on studies employing critical social theories and qualitative creative methods. She has examined more than 10 PhD/Professional Doctorate studies in the UK and/or abroad.  

Students learn best when engaged and inspired. As a result she prefers learning and teaching activities that are collaborative where students participate in discussion and critical debate to generate alternative ways of thinking. Drawing on contemporary health and critical social theory we aim to make meaning of lived experience and other sources of knowledge to co-produce writing and research around:

• Mental health
• Critical discourse analysis
• Narrative inquiry
• Critical reflection
• Research appraisal
• Evidence-based pactice and values-based practice
• Culture, health and wellbeing
• Gender and sexualities
• Health and social inequalities
• Resilience and asset-based approaches to health promotion
• Diversity awareness