Gender and Sexuality Research Collective

The University of Queensland is home to a vibrant community of researchers dedicated to advancing knowledge on gender, sexuality, equity, and social justice.

Our researchers engage with critical issues across disciplines—from education and health to media, politics, and technology—illuminating how gender and sexuality contributes to culture, institutions, and everyday life. Our collective engages with a range of critical perspectives, including gender theory, queer theory, feminist post-structuralism, etc.

Central to our approach is advocating for gender equality by producing and promoting research that challenges inequalities.  We currently host a range of diverse research projects and collaborations driving impactful change locally and globally.

Showcasing Research:
Some examples:

• Including the Voice of Young Men in Wellbeing Education

This project integrates sociology, anthropology, and digital methodologies to examine how boys and young men develop their identities and wellbeing across various digital contexts. The focus is on gaining knowledge in gender-sensitive, strength-based educational approaches that have the potential to inform health promotion and policy. The work bridges academic insights with real-world applications with the aim of reshaping practices in existing wellbeing education for young men.

Keywords: wellbeing, boys and young men, digital identity, education, policy translation

• The Limits of Consent

This interdisciplinary project examines both historical and contemporary notions of consent and affirmative consent across multiple fields. The website features a co-authored monograph which synthesises these perspectives, translating scholarly debate into accessible frameworks that inform public discourse and policy on sexual violence. Overall, the project demonstrates how disciplinary integration can generate knowledge with direct societal impact.

Keywords: consent, sexual violence, interdisciplinarity, historical analysis, policy impact

• Gendering the First-in-family Experience 

This project was a three year longitudinal research project exploring how first-in-family Australian students experience university differently accounting heavily for gender and social class.  The research used concepts such as transitions, liminality, and performativity to discuss the complex identity work of being first-in-family. By connecting qualitative insights to institutional practice, the project advances more inclusive and equitable approaches in education.

Keywords: first-in-family, higher education, gender, equity, student engagement

• Well-being outcomes in trans and gender diverse populations 

This project investigates the social and health-related predictors of wellbeing among trans and gender-diverse individuals. Publications, including systematic reviews, synthesise complex empirical evidence into frameworks that inform health practitioners, policymakers, and advocacy groups. The work translates psychosocial research into practical interventions that improve wellbeing outcomes in real-world health contexts.

Keywords: trans and gender diverse, wellbeing, health outcomes, systematic reviews, knowledge translation

• Young Men Navigating Digital Spaces 

This project examines how digital spaces – particularly social media and dating apps – shapes young men’s constructions of masculinity and wellbeing. The research builds critical knowledge on the relationship between digital cultures, identity, and wellbeing.  Insights are translated into practical guidance for educators, families, and platform designers, supporting safer and more informed online participation.

Keywords: young men, digital cultures, masculinity, wellbeing, online safety