Hear from the co-leads of a new Community of Practice at UNSW with expertise in working with communities of queer and trans people, and people with variations of sex characteristics (intersex people).

UNSW has pioneered ethical and inclusive research practices for decades, however there have been significant changes in the best practice and community expectations regarding research related to gender, sexuality, and/or innate sex characteristics. The new UNSW Community of Practice for Inclusive Research with Queer, Trans and people with variations of sex characteristics (intersex) or ‘CoPQTI’ was created in 2023 by a group of UNSW researchers who model inclusive approaches to research in these areas, and work in partnership with the advocacy organisations who represent these communities.

About CoP:

The Community of Practice in Inclusive Research with Queer, Trans and people with variations of sex characteristics (Intersex; CoPQTI) aims to generate and support enhanced capacity in sector-leading inclusive practice with queer, trans, and intersex people to:

1) Advise researchers from across the university and beyond on the implementation of the national standards.

2) Provide HDR and staff training on inclusive research practice across a range of policy areas, such as public health, medicine, law and social sciences.

3) Develop an interdisciplinary research cluster to investigate the considerable impact inclusive practice will have on future research findings and public policy development.

4) Serve as a central platform to generate interdisciplinary consideration of complex requests for advice from the university and beyond.

CoP co-leads: Kerryn Drysdale (contact), Brooke Brady, Bridget Haire, Andy Kaladelfos, Christy E Newman, Anthony K J Smith and Yssy Burton-Clark (support).

Join this event to learn more about the researchers who have formed this new Community of Practice, why they feel this new initiative matters, and how they can support researchers within and beyond UNSW to build awareness and capacity in these areas.

Panellists:

Dr Kerryn Drysdale (she/her) is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research in Health, a specialist research centre 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 stigmatised, marginalised and/or vulnerable communities.

Dr Anthony K J Smith (he/him) is a postdoctoral Research Associate at the Centre for Social Research in Health. He is a sociologist of health, gender, and sexuality specialising in HIV, sexual health, and LGBTQ+ communities, and drawing on data justice, critical public health, and science and technologies studies. Anthony is Editorial Advisory Board member of Health Sociology Review and Associate Editor of Sexual Health.

Professor Christy Newman (they/them) is a social researcher of health, gender, and sexuality at the Centre for Social Research in Health, and Associate Dean Engagement and Impact for UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture. As a queer/bi+ and non-binary person, they draw on both lived experience and research expertise in contributing to public discussions on diverse genders, sexualities, relationships, and families.

Dr Bridget Haire (she/her) is a bioethicist located at the Kirby Institute. She was a member of the reference group for the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ that produced the Standard for Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables and is a former president of Australia’s peak body for the community response to HIV, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

Dr Brooke Brady (she/her) is a Research Fellow at the UNSW School of Psychology and Neuroscience Research Australia. She conducts research at the intersection of psychology, epidemiology, neuroimaging, technology and the creative arts to explore dynamic experiences across the lifespan.

Dr Andy Kaladefos (they/them) regretfully cannot be with us for this panel discussion.

Yssy Burton-Clark (they/them) is the CoPQTI’s Research Assistant. They also work as a Project Officer with the Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership and are completing their Honours in Criminology.