Comparing intersectional life-course inequalities among LGBTQI+ people in four European countries (2018-2021)

Bringing together an international and multi-disciplinary team of researchers, this project investigated the potential inequalities experienced bylesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people across the lifecourse.

The key objective was to provide new cross-cultural evidence concerning life course inequalities experienced by LGBTQI+ people, comparing and contrasting these across four European countries with different yet interrelated social, historical, economic and political backgrounds: England, Germany, Portugal and Scotland.

In Scotland, the CILIA-LGBTQI+ research was conducted by Professor Yvette Taylor and Dr Matson Lawrence, based in the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.  The research was funded by NORFACE, a consortium of European Research Councils, as part of the DIAL (Dynamics of Inequality Across the Life-course: structures and processes) transnational research programme.

The story of South Asian migrants in the UK

The Cross Border Queers project addresses the missing history of the queer South Asian migration to the UK. The 1960's mark the beginning of an organised LGBTQ civil rights movement in the UK, as well as larger waves of migration to the UK, with those of South Asian descent arriving from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Uganda.

However, there is little research on queer South Asians who arrived in the UK and how their experiences of racism homophobia and their transnational connections in South Asia, shaped their (inter)national experience of being queer.

The project works between the UK and India to research the experience of queer migration through archives, interviews and workshops with academics, activists and communities.

The research is conducted by Professor Churnjeet Mahn, Deputy Associate Principal at the University of Strathclyde, and colleague Dr Rohit Dasgupta from the University of Glasgow.

Impacts of bullying in educational settings

Professor Ian Rivers, Assistant Principal and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, conducts research focusing on the prevalence and impact of homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying, particularly in educational settings. His studies highlight the significant psychological and emotional distress these forms of bullying cause to LGBTQI+ youth, leading to higher rates of mental health issues, absenteeism, and lower academic performance. Rivers advocates for comprehensive anti-bullying policies and inclusive educational practices to create safer and more supportive environments for all students. His work underscores the need for societal and institutional changes to address and prevent such discrimination and harassment effectively.

Women and LGBT people in STEM

One of only eleven EPSRC-funded projects under the Inclusion Matters initiative, STEM Equals is a research and impact project focused on creating more inclusive STEM communities for women and LGBT people in both academia and in industry. Through an intersectional lens, the project examined working cultures within higher education and industry, including systemic inequalities faced by women and LGBT staff in STEM disciplines. In partnership with BAM Nuttall Ltd, the project launched and evaluated strategic initiatives focused on improving equality and diversity in STEM. 

The Strathclyde University Feminist Research Network (SUFRN) brings together staff and students from across the University, developing a stronger feminist research presence along with increased visibility and connectedness.  

Since 2016, SUFRN have run a seminar series, hosting visiting academics from across the UK and beyond. Seminars are free to attend and open to all.

In addition to seminars, SUFRN also hosts a blog, informal ‘brown bag’ research-in-progress workshops, and a feminist reading group.

Trans and non-binary students and staff in further and higher education (2016-2018)

Between 2016 and 2018, Dr Stephanie Mckendry and Dr Matson Lawrence conducted action research on the experiences of trans, non-binary and gender diverse people in colleges and universities. The initial research project – TransEDU Scotland – examined the experiences of, and current provision for, trans and gender diverse applicants, students and staff in colleges and universities across Scotland.

Based upon this research, Dr Mckendry and Dr Lawrence developed open-access resources, guidance and training materials for the post-secondary education sectors - and have developed the TransEDU website to provide a central resource for information on supporting trans applicants, students and staff in colleges and universities, plus a guidance book – Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students and Staff in Further and Higher Education – published by JKP (2019). The TransEDU project won a Guardian University Award and a Herald Scotland Diversity Award.

The TransEDU research and resource development was supported by funding from the Scottish Funding Council, the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, and the University of Strathclyde.