Transformations: Encountering Gender and Science (360G-Wellcome-106653_Z_14_B)

The Rethinking Sexology team’s historical research has uncovered important material on the relationship between medical authority and ‘patient’ experience and the development of diagnostic categories/treatment protocols. We propose a public engagement programme that invites young trans people (age 16-25) to explore this material, co-conduct new research, including an oral history project, and develop an ambitious programme of creative responses leading to a performance and exhibition in four relevant high-profile venues across the UK. The plan of action has been developed during an extensive consultation period with key stakeholders, in which ideas and methodologies have been fully tested. The programme is led by the Rethinking Sexology (RS) team who has an outstanding track record in field-leading engaged research and public engagement. The team’s experience will be complimented by collaborating with a uniquely qualified group of writers, performers and youth-facilitators, known for their pioneering and award-winning work with the trans community, with whom the RS team already has long-standing collaborative relationships. The programme will deliver a set of exceptionally innovative activities that will empower young people to: contribute to and enhance health and humanities research and public engagement practices; investigate clinical and diagnostic protocols and transform clinical dialogue; shape public debate through high-quality creative outputs (exhibition/performance) that promise to be intellectually, artistically and emotionally powerful and stimulating. The co-production model at the heart of the programme will feed systematically and continually into ongoing research activities, enabling the project to stand as a beacon of good practice in engaged research and public engagement.