Past event
Calling all educators, researchers, and advocates interested in critically exploring how queer theory has come to matter in the field of gender and sexuality education.
Join us for an online event hosted by the Sexualities and Gender special interest group of the British Education Research Association.
This event begins with a recorded keynote presentation by Professor Louisa Allen (University of Auckland) featuring insights from the recently published “Queer Studies and Education: An International Reader” (Rodriguez, Mizzi, Allen, and Cover 2023).
Following Professor Allen’s presentation, the rest of the session will include a series of 5- or 10-minute reflections from SIG and non-SIG members of whom you could be one! We invite you to offer your perspective on the journey and/or current state of the concept ‘queer’ in the field of education in ways that might explore the following key questions:
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in critical dialogue, forge connections, and shape the future of queer education research. Register now and be part of the movement towards inclusivity, equity, and empowerment in gender and sexuality education studies.
| 10:00 | Welcome & Introduction |
| 10:05 | Keynote Lecture: Holding Open Queer Potential in Education Professor Louisa Allen, University of Auckland |
| 10:45 | Queer-in(g) relationships and sex education in UK secondary schools: insights from teachers and young trans people Sophie Atherton, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh |
| 11:00 | Possibilities for Queer Joy and Challenge at ‘the Queerest School in Toronto’ Kim Snider, University of Auckland |
| 11:15 | Transcending the gender binary: towards an inclusive approach in education Pip Lee Meer, Northumbria University |
| 11:30 | Queering one’s own pedagogy through “Identity Molecule” tool: an intersectional exploratory investigation with Italian teachers in training Barbara Centrone, Roma Tre University |
| 11:45 | Reflecting on the tensions between queerness and disciplinary academic writing (and perhaps finding refuge in education) El Crabtree, Trinity College Dublin |
| 12:00 | Spiral temporalities and expanding space as queer forces in Education Gustavo Mariano, University of Coimbra |
| 12:15 | Break |
| 12:30 | A reflection as an RSHE practitioner. How the use of queer theory has changed my practice and why this matters Charlie Shaw, Middlesex University |
| 12:40 | Praxis in zine-ic research: Mapping lines of flight in creative sexuality education research with young people Elizabeth Ascroft, Open University |
| 12:55 | Queer Prefiguring: Connecting struggles and hopes through intersectional materialist pedagogies Phuong Tu Nguyen, Edge Hill University |
| 13:10 | Future Planning |
| 13:30 | Event Close |
Professor of Childhood Studies at Cardiff University
EJ Renold is a professor of Childhood Studies at the School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. They are the author of Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualities (2005), Children, Sexuality and Sexualisation (with Ringrose and Egan, 2015) and the...
Lecturer at Cardiff University
I am a Lecturer in Education with a particular interest in young people's gender and sexual cultures, digital relationships and creative, visual and arts-based methods. My teaching and research is driven by a passion for creating social change...
PhD Scholar at Coventry University
Enthusiastic social sciences researcher and practitioner, with passion, an open-mind, and empathy combined with a diverse educational background and motivation to make an impact on the world. Currently completing my PhD at Coventry University in...
Professor at University of Auckland
Louisa Allen is a Professor in, Critical Studies in Education, in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at The University of Auckland. She specializes in research on sexualities, young people, gender and schooling. This work is informed by...
Student at The Open University
Elizabeth is a researcher, a rights activist and a creative facilitator. She is a PhD Student in the School of Health Wellbeing and Social Care at The Open University and a scholar with the ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Programme. Her...
PhD Student at University of Auckland
Kim Snider (she/her) is a doctoral student at the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on queer and trans-affirming pedagogical practices in the arts and is informed by 21 years of secondary...
Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh
Sophie Atherton is a research fellow in the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society in the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently working on an ESRC-funded project entitled ‘Viral Memories: From HIV to Covid-19 and...
PhD Candidate and Education Consultant at Northumbria University
Northumbria University Research, Teacher and Activist. Nonbinary genderqueer (they/them) research interests: Gender diversity and inclusion in education LGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools Teacher training and staff...
Doctoral Student at Edge Hill University
I'm a PhD researcher specialising in gender, sexuality, and education, with over 8 years of experience in gender advocacy and sexuality education in Vietnam and the UK. Holding an MA in Education, Gender and International Development at UCL and...
Teacher at Middlesex University
MA student with Middlesex University. RSHE teacher in North Lincolnshire.
University of Coimbra
Gustavo Mariano is a PhD student in the program Human Rights in Contemporary Society at the Center for Social Studies, University of Coimbra. He holds a master's degree in Philosophy of Law (University of Coimbra) and a Bachelor's Degree in Law...
Phd Student, teacher at Università degli studi Roma Tre
Barbara Centrone (they/she – l*i/lei): a queer, disabled, and neurodivergent person, is an intersectional transfeminist activist and an expert teacher in education on differences. An expert in Disability Studies, they are a PhD candidate in...
Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin
I am an Irish Research Council Postdoc Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. My research experiences have spanned a few areas of the academic system — from languages and comparative literature scholarship, to educational research and professional...
• We use Microsoft Teams for our virtual events.
• For the best viewing experience please use a laptop or computer
• It is best to check your connection at least 10 minutes before the event, and any problems the BERA technical team may be able to assist
The Sexualities & Gender SIG provides a forum to critically engage with how gender and sexuality research matters in the inter-disciplinary field of education and how this research can inform...
The BERA Public Engagement and Impact Award recognises and celebrates the impact of research and practice in the education community and how both have demonstrably engaged the public.
The BERA Conference 2024 and WERA Focal Meeting will take place September 9th-12th 2024. Early bird deadline and all presenters to register by the 1 May 2024.