Research expertise in the investigation of diverse identities, social inequalities, and how society and institutions respond to those.
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Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) has historically celebrated diversity and inclusion, promoting and recognising all individuals, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, race, age, religion, or any other protected or personal characteristic.
Such strong values transcend in the department’s staff, many of whom have specialism in exploring such identities within institutions and society overall, both nationally and internationally.
This project investigates the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ parents residing in Greece. It specifically invites LGBTQIA+ parents to support with the production of further knowledge and evidence in this area, which can be used to support recommendations for change, where appropriate and needed, legally and socially in Greece.
LGBTQIA+ parenting in Greece has made significant strides in recent years, reflecting a growing acceptance and recognition of diverse family structures. While Greece traditionally held conservative views on family, societal attitudes have gradually shifted, paving the way for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples to become parents.
In 2018, Greece enacted legislation that allows same-sex couples to legally adopt children, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQIA+ parenting rights. This legal recognition has provided a sense of security and legitimacy to LGBTQIA+ families, enabling them to enjoy the same benefits and responsibilities as heterosexual couples.
While some progress has been made in the recent years, LGBTQIA+ parents continue to face social disenfranchisement of their role as parents, while the legislative framework continues to prevent single gay men and trans individuals to be recognised as parents of their children.
Legislation dictates that a legal mother to the child with legal responsibilities is assigned to every child, leaving gay men, for example, in a precarious situation, without the option to legally connect with their children.
Exploring the lived experience of LGBT+ self-identified individuals employed in Higher Education in England.
LGBT+ discrimination and oppression persist in Higher Education. To develop a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges of those identifying as LGBT+, it is crucial that their lived experience is recorded.
This approach will not only help to appreciate the individual’s experience but highlight the areas which higher institutions can focus on to promote inclusivity and overcome personal and structural inequalities.
This study uncovers the lived experiences that will complement the current data and knowledge regarding LGBT+ visibility, representation and inclusivity.
Evaluating the Migration Museums' People's Panel and Network and Co-creating the Migration Museum Values and Toolkit for community engagement
This Catalyst Award funded research project seeks to support embedding community engagement as central to the Migration Museum.
The People’s Panel and Network have been established as a project to choose the values and guidelines that drive exhibitions, activities, and events at the Museum, both in Lewisham and beyond.
This project is a collaboration between the Migration Museum and Goldsmiths Lecturer and Researcher Louise Doherty, (STaCS). Louise is working with museum staff to evaluate the People's Panel and Network- an initiative that was established in 2022 to embed grassroots community engagement and co-production as central to the Migration Museum's work and ethos.
The Museum believes that by building a community engagement strategy from the ground up, community members are actively involved in co-creating the values and objectives at the heart of the museum and that ultimately through shaping the programme in the future, community engagement and consultation will be mainstreamed into every aspect of the running of the museum.
As well as evaluating the project’s processes and framework for co-production so far, the project seeks to locate the Migration Museum’s Values via analysis of the workshops and surveys undertaken with the People’s Panel and Network. Additionally, an open access toolkit will be co-produced offering practical advice and recommendations to others seeking to embed meaningful co-production in their programming and community engagement practices.
Covid-19 impact on children in BAME families (Co-POWeR)
Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on children in BAME families. This study explored the combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and racial discrimination on the lives of children, young people and families of Black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME).
The study is part of a larger ESRC/UKRI funded project Co-POWeR – Consortium on Practices of Wellbeing and Resilience in Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Families and Communities.
The consortium of academics, including Goldsmiths, University of London’s Professor Claudia Bernard, are launching five studies exploring the combined impact of the pandemic and racial discrimination on wellbeing and resilience, aiming to create a fuller picture of the vulnerabilities of BAME communities.