SEXtember 2023 ǀ Making research more inclusive of gender and sexuality diversity: HDR perspectives

Challenge assumptions, forge connections, and reimagine intimacy at the 2023 Sex, Health, and Society Conference! Through discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions, we'll explore international perspectives on relationships, health and justice.

Making research more inclusive of gender and sexuality diversity: HDR perspectives

The aim of this panel discussion workshop is to increase the confidence of a new generation of researchers to ask questions about sex, gender and sexuality in appropriate, meaningful ways.

The UNSW Community of Practice in Inclusive Research with Queer, Trans and Intersex people (CoPQTI) is a new initiative developed by a group of UNSW academics who model inclusive research design and practice with people with diverse genders, sexualities and/or innate variations of sex characteristics. Despite the proliferation of the language of inclusivity in various research domains, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ model that can conceivably respond to its varied, complex and intersectional aspects. Aligning with the conference theme of 'Empowerment, Relationships and Intimacy’, this interactive workshop has been organised by the CoP to introduce attendees to the general principles underpinning inclusive research, and the importance of asking questions around sex, gender, and sexuality in culturally safe and sensitive ways.

This event showcases the voices of Higher Degree Research students at UNSW, drawing on an array of diverse forms of lived experience, community engagement, and professional and research expertise. Discussion will include the value of co-design with affected communities, peer collaboration and partnerships, advisory groups as mechanisms for challenging researcher assumptions and approaches, and the ethical, practical and cultural nuances that need to be addressed through these processes.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions that they have for panellists ahead of time by using the registration function.

This event is supported by the Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).

Panellist bios:

Jacek Anderst (they/them) is a non-binary, queer person and public health researcher, primarily as a Research Associate and PhD Candidate at Guuna-maana (Heal), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program, The George Institute for Global Health. Beyond their work at The George Institute, Jacek is a volunteer community researcher in LGBTIQ+ health on the 2020 and 2022 iterations of the SWASH survey and involved in the adaptation of the SWASH survey for improved inclusivity of gender diverse experiences. They are a member of ACON’s Research Ethics Review. Prior to Covid-19 they were a peer worker at ACON’s CheckOUT Clinic, a free and confidential cervical screening (CST) and STI testing clinic for LGBTIQ+ people run by ACON & Family Planning NSW.

Bella Bushby (she/her) proudly identifies as bi+ and is passionate about improving health outcomes for sexuality and gender diverse communities. She is a PhD student at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney focusing on the sexual health and HIV needs of bi+ people in Australia. Bella has previously worked within the HIV community sector with a focus on HIV policy and community research. In her current role as a Senior Project Officer at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Bella is the project coordinator of the Bi+ Sexual Health and HIV (BiSHH) study which is a collaboration between researchers and bi+ community organisations and advocates.

Angela Griffin (she/her) is a Research Assistant at the Gendered Violence Research Network and has a background as a student activist and in research involving student consultation & co-design. In 2021 she completed her Bachelor of Social Research & Policy (Honours First Class). As part of this degree, she completed a thesis exploring student activist experiences of their universities implementation of the recommendations included in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2017 ‘Change the Course’ report. In 2022 she ran student consultations for ‘Stop. Empower. Support: UNSW’s Gendered Violence Strategy and Action Plan’ and in 2023 she is working as an RA on the first national survey of the LGBTQIA+ community’s experiences of sexual violence.

Heather McCormack (she/they) is an Indigiqueer Wiradjuri woman who has worked in health promotion, communications and program management roles across the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector for fifteen years. She is currently Senior Program Manager at the NSW STI Programs Unit and a PhD candidate at the Kirby Institute, UNSW. Heather’s PhD examines opportunities to increase STI and HIV testing within routine medical consultations in the primary care setting for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Heather’s work with the NSW STI Programs Unit brings together digital communications tools and strengths-based health promotion to improve sexual health outcomes for diverse priority populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Heather’s previous roles have included a frontline sexual health clinic and several peer-led health promotion not-for-profits.

Kazi Ashraf Uddin (he/him) is a PhD candidate in the School of Law, Society and Criminology at UNSW Sydney. His doctoral research is a decolonial epistemic project that aims at developing a South Asian transgender research methodology. Previously a Scholar-in-residence at the Forum on Contemporary Theory (India) with a transgender research project, Ashraf critically investigates the South Asian gender expressions and lived experiences from a socio-anthropological perspective. Apart from his ongoing doctoral project, Ashraf is also working on developing research protocols to do research with gender diverse people in refugee context. Ashraf has published on literary and cultural studies, urban anthropology, spatial criticism, and postmodern discourses both in peer-reviewed journals. A fellow of the Higher Education Academy of the UK and previously an Erasmus scholar, Ashraf also holds the position of Associate Professor at the Department of English at Jahangirnagar University.

Chair bio:

Dr Kerryn Drysdale (she/her) is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research in Health, a specialist research center within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture. She conducts research at the intersection of social inquiry and public health, particularly in the experiences and expressions of health and wellbeing among marginalised and/or vulnerable communities. Her first monograph, Intimate Investments in Drag King Cultures: The Rise and Fall of a Lesbian Social Scene, was published by Palgrave in 2019.