Image credited to James Fox Neville.

 

Trans Youth and Education: National Issues and Solutions was a one-day KISI-funded event which took place at Keele University on 20th June 2019. 

The conference was co-organised by Aimee Merrydew, Dr. John Howlett, Dr. Senthorun Raj, Prof. Dominic Janes, Dave Rushton (Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent), and members of Newleaf Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. It brought together activists, academics, charities, educators, students, practitioners, and organisations with a speciality and interest in trans-inclusive education. The aim of the conference was as follows:

 

1) to examine issues of inequalities affecting trans and non-binary individuals, with an emphasis on the relationship between gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and ability.

 

2) to promote pragmatic approaches to supporting trans and non-binary individuals in education policies and practices.

 

The conference featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Anna Carlile (Goldsmiths, University of London). There were also presentations by Professor Derek McGhee (Faculty Dean of Research and Director of the Keele Institute for Social Inclusion); James Fox Neville (Diversity Awareness Trainer); Ele Fisher (Keele SU Welfare and Internationalisation Students Officer); Ian Wong (Keele SU International Students Officer, NUS International Students Committee Member, and NUS Trans Committee Member); Fiona Wood (MA Student at Staffordshire University, Stonewall Role Model of the Year 2019 for the Midlands; and former President of Staffordshire University Student Union); Paula Chell (Volunteer for Mermaids UK); and Jan Sampson (Mermaids UK), respectively. Presentations focused on trans inclusivity in education and many were interlaced with personal stories. Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent, Women of Keele Educate (WOKE), Mermaids UK, and Trans-Staffordshire/SOFFA hosted stalls for attendees to visit during registration and lunch in order to learn more about the work that is being undertaken to promote trans equality, both locally and nationally.

 

We would like to thank attendees for their participation in the event. We would also like to thank speakers, stall hosts, volunteers, and everyone who was involved in an organisational capacity for sharing their work, volunteering their time, and for helping to create a friendly and informative event. Finally, special thanks go to KISI for making the event possible through funding support.

 

For more information about the conference please contact the project leader, Aimee Merrydew (a.j.merrydew@keele.ac.uk).