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 co-produce 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 (CTSG) 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. 

Narrating Difference

The Narrating Difference study explores the experiences of sex and gender variance in UK healthcare and legal settings with Dr Evan Hazenberg (PI) and Dr Maria Moscati.

Health4LGBTI

"Health4LGBTI: Reducing health inequalities experienced by LGBTI people" explores the impact of social determinants on the health and healthcare inequalities of LGBTI people with Prof Nigel Sherriff, Dr Nick McGlynn, Alex Pollard and the Health4LGBTI consortium, funded by the European Commission. The political aim of this work is to address the causes of inequalities  experienced by minority groups. The output informs health service development and delivery for those who lead non-normative lives by acknowledging gender and sexual plurality. The research included developing a training programme for health professionals to address the specific health needs of LGBTI people.

Mental Health Practitioner Role Evaluation

A critique of discourses shaping mental health practice with the introduction of innovative roles such as the mental health practitioner role in Hampshire, UK with Dr Joanne Brown (PI) and Dr Lucy Simons. This initiative was designed to address workforce shortages in contemporary mental health practice.

Analysis of the Discursive Donstruction of Gender

Evolving from mental health practice, a critical discourse analysis aimed 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, where gender identity, gender expression and the related relational practices moved beyond binary formations towards gender plurality.

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 she has supervised to completion worked on studies employing critical social theories and qualitative creative methods. She has examined PhD/Professional Doctorate studies in the UK and further afield.  

Students are encouraged to engage in learning activities that are collaborative combined with participation 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
• Intersectionality
• Equality and diversity awareness