Queer Methodologies: Turning theory into practice

Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th May 2026: 9.30am – 4pm

Where: University of Brighton, City campus: Edward Street 103

The facilitators: Dr Nick McGlynn & Dr Abby Barras, University of Brighton

Nick is a Senior Lecturer in Geography, specialising sexualities and particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) spaces. His research interests revolve around LGBTQ equality issues and policies from a geographic perspective (locally, nationally, and transnationally); spaces made and used by LGBTQ communities such as neighbourhoods, bars, and social groups; and issues of body image, shape and size amongst GBQ men. His research is in partnership with LGBTQ community groups, charities, and activists from around the world.

Abby is a critical community psychologist and lecturer based in the School of Humanities and Social Science. Her primary research has a specific focus on improving trans and non-binary people’s participation and inclusion in movement and exercise across the lifespan, and the relationship between gender affirmation and embodied experiences of identity. Abby has previously worked as a researcher in the third sector, and often uses qualitative, action-orientated research methods in her work, adopting a trans feminist theoretical approach.

What:

The origins of queer methodologies are diverse and nebulous, whose roots are rarely linear, but instead influence our part, present and future thinking in new and provocative ways. More than this, queer methodologies can often provide us with fresh tools to explore alternative spaces, the value of considering a deeper ethics of care and ways of being for those within queer communities.
This two-day workshop will provide students with a critical introduction to both developing and doing research that is (or wants to be) informed by queer scholarship whose perspective can challenging the ways through which certain groups are marginalised within and outside the social sciences and the academy.

We will be exploring how queer histories and research link to breaking down binaries, identities and labels alongside other conceptual categories, and asking what it means to take a queer approach in (y)our research. In this way we will be encouraging you to take a critical approach, applying your learning of queer methodology in a helpful and practical way when developing and testing your own experiences of data gathering, managing and analysis. The workshop offers a chance for you to practice a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, and we will be encouraging sharing and reflecting upon your own projects, applying what you have learnt in the workshop.
The detail:

Day 1:

Theoretical queer methodologies: “what is queer methodology?”
Through interactive activities using group work, you will explore and discuss a range of queer readings from across the social sciences and consider the potential of applying these within different contexts. We will focus on queer scholarship, foundational texts and practising researchers who are drawing upon queer methodologies.

Day 2:

Applying queer methodologies: “fear of a queer planet”
You will explore adaptations of queer methodologies, linking to your research questions and designs where possible. We will be taking a hand-on approach, using real-world case studies to better understand how anti-trans/anti-queer policies/movements/categories impact on the messy reality of people’s lives. Through all these examples, ethical issues and how these can be addressed will also be explored.

Who the training is for:

This training is suitable for students across the Doctoral Training Partnership network. Where space is available it will be opened to other PGRs in the SCDTP universities.
You will need to do some prereading – please read (links below or email A.Barras6@brighton.ac.uk if you need a PDF).

• The introduction chapter of Queer Methods and Methodologies edited by Kath Browne & Catherine J Nash, which is accessible from this link

• A Methodology for the Marginalised: Surviving Oppression and Traumatic Fieldwork in the Neoliberal Academy, by Ruth Pearce https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038520904918

• Queering Methodologies to Understand Queer Families, by Jessica Fish & Stephen Russell doi: 10.1111/fare.12297

How to join:
Places are limited. To register your interest, please complete the online form here.