Dr Willem Stander, Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and co-chair of the INQR UK regional network, said: “LGBTQ+ people navigate complex social, cultural, and structural environments that significantly influence their health and well-being. And, despite facing discrimination and systemic barriers, LGBTQ+ people demonstrate remarkable strength and adaptability. This event will bring together experts to foster knowledge exchange across disciplines, career paths, and career stages, so we can improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ people across health, wellbeing and resilience.
“As the city of Birmingham celebrates Pride, it is important to examine the ways we can improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people throughout their lives.”
The event has been organised in collaboration with Dr Liam Cahill, Senior Lecturer in LGBTQ+ Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, and Dr Sebastian Cordoba, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London Metropolitan University, who are also both co-chairs of the INQR UK regional network.
The symposium will delve into several key themes delivered by keynote speakers and researchers:
LGBTQ+ Health and Well-Being: focusing on the physical, mental, and social aspects of well-being while addressing systemic barriers such as discrimination, housing, education, and employment inequities.
Resilience and Adaptability Across the Lifespan: exploring the resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals, providing insights into the experiences of youth, adults, and older adults.
Innovative Research and Practice: highlighting novel methodologies and frameworks for studying LGBTQ+ experiences, including digital and community-engaged approaches.
The Role of Digital Landscapes: examining how online spaces influence LGBTQ+ identity, community connection, and health outcomes across diverse sociocultural contexts.