Category Archives: Gender

The role of relationships when women navigate experiences of homelessness and violence

Posted on by
Reply
Carolin Hess in Rabat

Carolin Hess in Rabat

PhD student at King’s, Carolin Hess, reports from the International Sociological Association Forum.

I am grateful to have received a SSPP PGR grant to attend the ISA (International Sociological Association) Forum in Rabat, Morocco (6.-11th of July 2025).

With over 4,000 presenters from over 100 countries, and a (multilingual) schedule running from 9am to 8pm over five days, the conference offered a great overview of current debates in sociology and an excellent environment for connections. I attended presentations and met other scholars working on (women’s) homelessness, healthcare access and social policy in the UK and internationally. Some interesting conversations following these sessions sparked ideas for future research and potential collaborations. Being in Rabat and having some time in the evenings to drink mint tea together and explore the medina (old city) and local food, added to the experience.

At the forum, I also had the opportunity to present findings from my doctoral research project on “the role of relationships when women navigate experiences of homelessness and violence”. I presented in a session on Bodies, (trans) Genders and Violences, alongside researchers exploring the materiality of the gaze, conceptualization of violence, and experiences of (trans) bodies. With about 15-20 people attending the session, the subsequent discussion provided some helpful new perspectives on gender and performativity.

I would like to thank the SSPP, as well as my NIHR doctoral fellowship for their financial support to attend the conference and to make it possible for me to travel overland from London via Paris and Madrid. While a slower, and often more expensive way to travel, taking train, bus, and ferry felt like a more memorable and sustainable choice, allowing me to appreciate the distance (and providing ample of time to get some work done along the way!).

Carolin Hess is a PhD student at the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce in the Policy Institute at King’s.

Workshop on Religion, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in Adult Care at University of York

Posted on by

olivia luijnenburgOlivia Luijnenburg is Research Associate at the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce. (374 words)

On the 7 July, Sue Westwood organised a workshop on Religion, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in Adult Care at the University of York. Over twenty delegates were there from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) charities or representative groups, care providers, chaplaincies or other religious organisations involved in care, and different universities. The workshop was a space to discuss opportunities and challenges around religion, people identifying as LGBTQ+, and adult care. The morning consisted of ice breakers, conversations on what religion means to the delegates, and a first look at the briefing document that was sent to all. This created a better understanding of delegates’ experiences, ideas, and potential worries. It also created a safe space for everyone to share their thoughts about sensitive topics such as rejection, sexuality, conflicting ideologies, and prejudice. Continue reading →