If you’d like to learn more about Queering-Up Equity and Equality Research Spaces, we’d love to hear from you.
Queering-Up Equity and Equality Research Spaces
Fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for Queer researchers
A supportive and nurturing space for Queer researchers
Queering-Up Equity and Equality Research Spaces (Q-UEERS) is a queer-led, interdisciplinary research space open to queer researchers and our genuine allies with a commitment to strengthening authenticity, belonging and connection – the "ABCs of living Queer" – in local communities and mainstream research spaces at Deakin.
Recognising the isolation many queer researchers face in straight academia, we established a supportive space for queer researchers to be our authentic selves and cultivate a sense of belonging to something that feels meaningful.
We also hope that our space will act as a springboard for future research and community collaborations that strengthen queer scholarship at the University and in mainstream research.
What is Queering-Up?
Queering-up is a form of activism, a mode of innovation and a method of expression that challenges heteronormativity and cisgenderism, with an emphasis on collaboration and partnership.
Our vision
Our vision is to queer-up mainstream research practices, knowledges and collaborations to foster equitable community spaces for sexually and gender-diverse people.
Our guiding principles
We embed five community co-designed Queer equity principles into our work to promote healthy, safe and inclusive communities.
Queer literacy
Promote the historical, cultural and social factors that shape LGBTIQA+ people's experiences, as well as understanding the language and terminology used to describe these experiences.
Queer advocacy
Promote equity, social justice and human rights of LGBTIQA+ people at individual, collective and systematic levels. We consult with queer communities and advocacy groups for a shared advocacy responsibility.
Queer spaces
Promote the availability and capacity of queer-run services, as well as queer safe spaces where LGBTIQA+ people can connect, socialise and express themselves in ways that are safe, welcoming and affirming.
Queer presence
Promote the visibility and representation of queer people and communities. We co-design services and spaces with queer lived experience advocates, such as inclusive health services systems and the safe disclosure and inclusiveness of queer health professionals.
Intersectional Queer life
Promote responsiveness to intersecting identities of culture, class, age, ability, sexuality and gender – ensuring policy and practice is accountable to queer communities' intersectional identities and lived experiences.
Diversity, equity and inclusion at Deakin
At Deakin we foster an environment of inclusion, where we value and celebrate diversity, embrace difference and nurture a connected, safe and respectful community.
The full affirmation of sexuality and gender diverse people’s fundamental human right to be themselves (authenticity), as active social citizens (belonging), in meaningful relationship with others and the natural world (connection).
Our team
Our team is made up of passionate, multidisciplinary queer researchers who work to advance equity, visibility and intersectional inclusion in both academic and community spaces.
Dr James Lucas is a senior lecturer in social work, with research interests in mental health social work, Queer health and wellbeing and spirituality.
Dr Priscilla Dunk-West is a best-selling author with expertise in social work, relationships, sexuality and sexual identities.
Dr Amie O’Shea is a senior lecturer in disability and inclusion with the School of Health and Social Development.
Dr Louisa Smith is a senior lecturer in disability and inclusion, using participatory and arts-based research methods to include people with disabilities, including dementia.
Dr Andrew Brown is a lecturer in social work for the Faculty of Health. Andrew is also a public health researcher with the Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition.
Feature projects
We lead collaborative, Queer-led research projects that challenge dominant norms and foster equity, inclusion, and belonging.
LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities talk about their lives
Dr Amie O'Shea led a research project that proposed recommendations to improve inclusivity and responsiveness of services for LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities.
Co-designing primary healthcare for queer youth in Western Victoria
The Safer Spaces Project is a 5-year MRFF-funded initiative at the National Centre for Farmer Health with Deakin University. Starting mid-2024, it will co-design and pilot a primary healthcare model for queer youth in Western Victoria, fostering community engagement through the Young-Q Collective and Q-Health Alliance.
Transforming dementia care for sexuality and gender diverse communities
Sexuality And Gender Experiences Dementia (SAGE Dem) is a 4-year MRFF-funded project (2024–2028) developing a world-first model of care for sexuality and gender diverse people living with dementia. It will co-design a cultural competence framework and training toolkit to embed lived experience, improve access, and build capacity across health and aged care services.
Contact us
Email the Q-UEERS team
