Reproductive Anxiety: Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ individuals, young people, and those who have faced perinatal loss.
Part 2 of 2.
This episode delves into the multifaceted issue of reproductive anxiety. We hear from researchers and activists Sam Murphy, Jessi Winters and Mari Greenfield on their work with LGBTQ communities, young people and individuals who have faced perinatal loss.
In Part 2, the guests share their solutions and best practices for research in this space. They discuss the implications of reproductive anxiety on relationships, decision-making, and mental health, as well as the importance of trust and community engagement in research. The speakers conclude by emphasising the need for advocacy to raise awareness of reproductive anxiety and discuss the role of researchers in amplifying marginalised voices.
Jessi Winters is a social researcher with a keen interest in using participatory methods to understand complex health issues. While working at Brook, Jessi led the EASY research to better understand young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards condoms, contraception and sexual health.
Dr. Mari Greenfield is a researcher at the Open University who specialises in working with marginalised groups on reproductive health issues. She usually uses qualitative and participatory methods to find out about people’s experiences.
Dr. Sam Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Health Studies at The Open University. She has had a long-term interest in researching experiences of reproductive loss as well as, more broadly, the sociologies of human reproduction and death and dying.
Keywords: Reproductive anxiety; LGBTQ; perinatal loss; young people; contraception; mental health; research; advocacy; reproductive services.
Reproductive Anxiety: Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ individuals, young people, and those who have faced perinatal loss.
Part 1 of 2.
This episode delves into the multifaceted issue of reproductive anxiety. We hear from researchers and activists Sam Murphy, Jessi Winters and Mari Greenfield on their work with LGBTQ communities, young people and individuals who have faced perinatal loss.
Part 1 sets the scene for what reproductive anxiety might look like and draws on the challenges people face in deciphering reliable information from medical professionals and social media. The conversation highlights the intersectionality of reproductive anxiety, emphasising how identity and past experiences shape individuals' feelings and concerns. The guests discuss the stigma surrounding reproductive health decisions and the importance of accessible information and support.
Jessi Winters is a social researcher with a keen interest in using participatory methods to understand complex health issues. While working at Brook, Jessi led the EASY research to better understand young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards condoms, contraception and sexual health.
Dr. Mari Greenfield is a researcher at the Open University who specialises in working with marginalised groups on reproductive health issues. She usually uses qualitative and participatory methods to find out about people’s experiences.
Dr. Sam Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Health Studies at The Open University. She has had a long-term interest in researching experiences of reproductive loss as well as, more broadly, the sociologies of human reproduction and death and dying.
Keywords: Reproductive anxiety; LGBTQ; perinatal loss; young people; contraception; mental health; research; advocacy; reproductive services.
"Dignity means different things for different people, and it’s difficult to deny the importance of the notion in understandings of human existence. So when we use dignity as a given of a quality to being human, we need to dig into what human means and who grants what a human with rights is.” Lisa Käll.
“Person-centred care is only reserved for some people entering healthcare systems, and not for others.” Sarah Hamed.
The question of human dignity is crucial in the fight for birthing rights for racially minoritised people in Sweden and the UK. Who is understood to be worthy of dignified care, what should dignified care look like and what is the responsibility of the health system? These troubling questions are discussed by our multidisciplinary panel from a philosophical, sociological and activist perspective in this powerful episode on Dignity in Maternity Care. In Part 1, speakers explore the concept of dignity and how it is used in research and practice. In Part 2, speakers review what their research shows about how black and brown people are treated in maternity care, what can be done to ensure that women and birthing people can maintain their rights, autonomy and a sense of dignity through supportive and caring communities. Speakers end with calls to learn from transformative justice and to build a collaborative movement to end mistreatment and harm in maternity care.
“We need solutions and pressure on government to think bigger and more radically about how to transform maternity care so that it becomes something that enables all women and birthing people to access life-affirming rights, respecting safe care.” Shanthi Gunesekera
For more information on topics raised in this episode:
Biographies
Lisa Käll, Professor in Gender Studies at Stockholm University. Lisa is head of the department for Ethnology, History of Religion and Gender studies at Stockholm University, leads the Nordic network for gender, body and health, and writes and edits publications within her research interests of feminist philosophy, especially phenomenology and philosophy of subjectivity, body/embodiment theory and many other areas.
Shanthi Gunesekera, Co-CEO at Birthrights UK, the leading authority on the rights of women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth in the UK. Shanthi and her job share partner Janaki previously led the Greater London Authority’s policy and programmes delivered under the Mayor of London’s Social Integration Strategy.
Sarah Hamed, Researcher in Medical Sociology at Kings College London and Head of Research and Evaluation at Black Thrive Global. Sarah focuses on migration and health inequalities, racism and racialisation in healthcare and is currently conducting a study on racism in maternity care in Sweden and the UK.
“Dignity means different things for different people, and it’s difficult to deny the importance of the notion in understandings of human existence. So when we use dignity as a given of a quality to being human, we need to dig into what human means and who grants what a human with rights is.” Lisa Käll.
“Person-centred care is only reserved for some people entering healthcare systems, and not for others.” Sarah Hamed.
The question of human dignity is crucial in the fight for birthing rights for racially minoritised people in Sweden and the UK. Who is understood to be worthy of dignified care, what should dignified care look like and what is the responsibility of the health system? These troubling questions are discussed by our multidisciplinary panel from a philosophical, sociological and activist perspective in this powerful episode on Dignity in Maternity Care. In Part 1, speakers explore the concept of dignity and how it is used in research and practice. In Part 2, speakers review what their research shows about how black and brown people are treated in maternity care, what can be done to ensure that women and birthing people can maintain their rights, autonomy and a sense of dignity through supportive and caring communities. Speakers end with calls to learn from transformative justice and to build a collaborative movement to end mistreatment and harm in maternity care.
“We need solutions and pressure on government to think bigger and more radically about how to transform maternity care so that it becomes something that enables all women and birthing people to access life-affirming rights, respecting safe care.” Shanthi Gunesekera
For more information on topics raised in this episode:
Biographies
Lisa Käll, Professor in Gender Studies at Stockholm University. Lisa is head of the department for Ethnology, History of Religion and Gender studies at Stockholm University, leads the Nordic network for gender, body and health, and writes and edits publications within her research interests of feminist philosophy, especially phenomenology and philosophy of subjectivity, body/embodiment theory and many other areas.
Shanthi Gunesekera, Co-CEO at Birthrights UK, the leading authority on the rights of women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth in the UK. Shanthi and her job share partner Janaki previously led the Greater London Authority’s policy and programmes delivered under the Mayor of London’s Social Integration Strategy.
Sarah Hamed, Researcher in Medical Sociology at Kings College London and Head of Research and Evaluation at Black Thrive Global. Sarah focuses on migration and health inequalities, racism and racialisation in healthcare and is currently conducting a study on racism in maternity care in Sweden and the UK.
In Part 2 of this episode, Open University researcher Elizabeth Ascroft invites guests Ashlee Beatrice-Burnett, Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain and Isabel Steele to explore youth sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in rural and island communities. This conversation explores the strategies for working in collaboration with communities in for the enhancement of SRHR. Drawing from their own work, the guest speakers discuss taking a whole-school approach to sexuality education, innovative contraceptive delivery services and online support platforms for young people. The guests also delve into the dynamics of being an ‘insider’ versus an ‘outsider’ in research initiatives or programme delivery services. Ultimately, the discussion emphasises the significance of creating safe spaces for youth engagement, and the necessity of destigmatizing conversations around sexual health.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Biographies
Elizabeth Ascroft is an ESRC-funded doctoral researcher at the Open University in partnership with Famia Planea Aruba and IPPF. Her current research explores arts-based, co-creative approaches to sexuality education with young people in Aruba, and her previous work investigated gender violence and sexuality education in Barbados. With a focus on small island contexts, Elizabeth’s research considers how ‘islandness’ moulds discourses around SRHR in the context of the international development sector. Elizabeth is a keen bean for learning and is most inspired when in a room with other activists, researchers and creatives working in the advancement of young people’s SRHR.
Ashlee Burnett is a Trinbagonian educator, organiser, and researcher, serving as IPPF’s Global Lead on Comprehensive Sexuality Education; leading on CSE partnerships, evidence generation, and supporting MA-led initiatives like the Centre of Excellence on CSE to deliver innovative programmes and youth-centred care. She holds an MSc Education Policy and International Development from the University of Bristol and has been awarded the Colin Robinson Hard Head Award fortransformational activism in Trinidad and Tobago. Socials: Instagram and X
Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain is a Senior Specialist Lead at the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care, hosted by National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland. Rebecah has a background in working within PublicHealth and Heath Improvement in clinical, third sector and academic research settings. Rebecah’s specialist research subject focuses on reproductive and sexual health, sex education curriculum in schools, and access to sexual wellbeing support for underrepresented communities and young people in remote, rural and island areas.
Isabel Steele is a Senior Health Improvement Office in the Public Health Department of the National Health Service (NHS) Western Isles. She is local to the Outer Hebrides and has lived there most of her life and has worked with young people for over 35 years. She has been employed by the NHS in the Western Isles for 30 years in various roles around sexual health, Blood Born Viruses, young people and substance misuse. She has gained her MSc in Health Improvement & Public Health and enjoys engaging in learning and research around issues that affect young people. She is very passionate about young people’s rights and supports the principles of the UNCRC to ensure that children & young people have the information they need to keep themselves safe.
In Part 1 of this episode, Open University researcher Elizabeth Ascroft invites guests Ashlee Beatrice-Burnett, Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain and Isabel Steele to explore youth sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in rural and island communities. The guests share insights from their work in the Scottish Hebrides and Western Isles, Aruba, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced by young people in these contexts where “everyone knows everyone”, and outlines the diversity of local cultures between islands, and advocate for tailored strategies to improve SRHR education and access.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Biographies
Elizabeth Ascroft is an ESRC-funded doctoral researcher at the Open University in partnership with Famia Planea Aruba and IPPF. Her current research explores arts-based, co-creative approaches to sexuality education with young people in Aruba, and her previous work investigated gender violence and sexuality education in Barbados. With a focus on small island contexts, Elizabeth’s research considers how ‘islandness’ moulds discourses around SRHR in the context of the international development sector. Elizabeth is a keen bean for learning and is most inspired when in a room with other activists, researchers and creatives working in the advancement of young people’s SRHR.
Ashlee Burnett is a Trinbagonian educator, organiser, and researcher, serving as IPPF’s Global Lead on Comprehensive Sexuality Education; leading on CSE partnerships, evidence generation, and supporting MA-led initiatives like the Centre of Excellence on CSE to deliver innovative programmes and youth-centred care. She holds an MSc Education Policy and International Development from the University of Bristol and has been awarded the Colin Robinson Hard Head Award fortransformational activism in Trinidad and Tobago. Socials: Instagram and X
Dr Rebecah MacGilleEathain is a Senior Specialist Lead at the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care, hosted by National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland. Rebecah has a background in working within PublicHealth and Heath Improvement in clinical, third sector and academic research settings. Rebecah’s specialist research subject focuses on reproductive and sexual health, sex education curriculum in schools, and access to sexual wellbeing support for underrepresented communities and young people in remote, rural and island areas.
Isabel Steele is a Senior Health Improvement Office in the Public Health Department of the National Health Service (NHS) Western Isles. She is local to the Outer Hebrides and has lived there most of her life and has worked with young people for over 35 years. She has been employed by the NHS in the Western Isles for 30 years in various roles around sexual health, Blood Born Viruses, young people and substance misuse. She has gained her MSc in Health Improvement & Public Health and enjoys engaging in learning and research around issues that affect young people. She is very passionate about young people’s rights and supports the principles of the UNCRC to ensure that children & young people have the information they need to keep themselves safe.
“Intersectionality has been hailed as one of the most transformative theoretical developments in critical legal studies, political theory, feminist and critical race studies and its influence is felt in a range of policy areas: social work and social justice, education, urban studies. Intersectionality emerged out of activist movements and continues to be shaped by activism. So intersectionality as a theory is indivisible from intersectionality as an activist stance and approach to real-world instances of injustice and inequality.”
But what is intersectionality?
In this episode, Open University Professor Peter Keogh invites guests Fiona de Londras and Naomi Connor to explore the concept of intersectionality in the context of abortion law reform in the North and South of Ireland. Tracing the roots of intersectionality, the speakers offer a definition of the term and then explore how and why intersectionality is needed to contexualise abortion services in Ireland, identify the faultlines in reproductive health and rights and forge solidarities across movements.
”In a truly intersectional space, your colleagues will force you to stop and think again about what you think the answers must be, and how that can be rooted in the structures that are deeply oppressive” (Fiona de Londras).
”We are hailed as having the best abortion law in perhaps the world, but it’s the application of that is where the intersections fall away” (Naomi Connor).
Biographies
Suggested reading and links
Shreya Atrey (2019) Intersectional Discrimination - Shreya Atrey - Oxford University Press (oup.com)
Fiona Bloomer and Emma Campbell (2022) Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland: Legislation and Protest: Fiona Bloomer: Bloomsbury Academic
“Intersectionality has been hailed as one of the most transformative theoretical developments in critical legal studies, political theory, feminist and critical race studies and its influence is felt in a range of policy areas: social work and social justice, education, urban studies. Intersectionality emerged out of activist movements and continues to be shaped by activism. So intersectionality as a theory is indivisible from intersectionality as an activist stance and approach to real-world instances of injustice and inequality.”
But what is intersectionality?
In this episode, Professor Peter Keogh invites guests Fiona de Londras and Naomi Connor to explore the context of abortion law reform in the North and South of Ireland. Tracing the roots of intersectionality, the speakers offer a definition of the term and then explore how and why intersectionality is needed to contexualise abortion services in Ireland, identify the faultlines in reproductive health and rights and forge solidarities across movements.
”In a truly intersectional space, your colleagues will force you to stop and think again about what you think the answers must be, and how that can be rooted in the structures that are deeply oppressive” (Fiona de Londras).
”We are hailed as having the best abortion law in perhaps the world, but it’s the application of that is where the intersections fall away” (Naomi Connor).
Biographies
Suggested reading and links
Shreya Atrey (2019) Intersectional Discrimination - Shreya Atrey - Oxford University Press (oup.com)
Fiona Bloomer and Emma Campbell (2022) Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland: Legislation and Protest: Fiona Bloomer: Bloomsbury Academic
This episode is produced in collaboration with the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for Study of Global Development at the Open University.
Martha Nicholson (facilitator), Dr Joyce Wamoyi, Dr Kevin Deane, and Professor Peter Keogh discuss research on the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health. Drawing from different disciplines, research contexts and institutions, we explore how sexual and reproductive health is managed and negotiated in the context of structural inequality and complex social worlds. Research shows that where we live, the education and work opportunities we have access to and the gender norms we grow up with may all shape people's ability to negotiate risks and manage a disease like HIV.
In part 2, we explore the social determinants that may make someone more likely to engage in risky behaviours and contract a sexually transmitted disease. Peter, Joyce and Kevin present solutions to the challenges of research on social determinants. We end part 2 of this episode with proposals for a bold and multidisciplinary research agenda for the future.
Bios
Joyce Wamoyi: Social and Behavioural researcher at the National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania. Joyce has an MSc in community health and a PhD in social and Behavioural Sciences. For over 20 years, Dr. Wamoyi has worked on: Adolescents and Young people’s Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) behaviour; Structural drivers of SRH risk; HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; Parenting/ families and child outcomes; stigma and discrimination in access to SRH services; and qualitative and participatory research methods. In her work, she has explored the dynamics of transactional sex in adolescents and young women's sexual relationships in sub-Saharan Africa. She is currently working on the evaluation of the quality of implementation for the scale up of the Parenting for Lifelong Health programme in Tanzania. She is a member of the WHO Behavioural Insights Technical Advisory Group and UNICEF Advisory Board for a multi-country project.
Peter Keogh: Professor of Health and Society at the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at the Open University. Peter’s background is in community-based research and knowledge co-creation in the areas of HIV, LGBT+ health and rights and reproductive justice. Peter’s research focuses on the role of intimacy, embodiment, affect and materiality in people’s experiences of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. He engages critically with contemporary SRHR epistemologies drawing on biomedicalization, post-colonial and Marxist theory. Peter is involved in many projects which involve the co-creation of useful and applied knowledges with, by and for key communities.
Kevin Deane: Senior Lecturer and interdisciplinary specialist in Economics, Political Economy and International Development. Research interests focus on the political economy of health with an application to the HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa. Kevin has worked on a range of topics related to HIV including gender, migration, workplace programmes, HIV testing and the relationship between socio-economic status and HIV. He is also interested in the political and social determinants of malaria. Kevin is primarily a qualitative researcher with experience of conducting fieldwork in East Africa.
Martha Nicholson (facilitator): PhD Student in the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health research group at the Open University in the UK. Current research is a feminist ethnography on how nurses and midwives learn about abortion care in Northern Ireland. Working with a group of nurses and midwives, Martha is mapping out how abortion knowledge is produced, and how centres of learning and work may distort, silence and challenge access to that knowledge through dialogues, processes, and organisational texts.
This episode is produced in collaboration with the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for Study of Global Development at the Open University.
Martha Nicholson (facilitator), Dr Joyce Wamoyi, Dr Kevin Deane, and Professor Peter Keogh discuss research on the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health. Drawing from different disciplines, research contexts and institutions, we explore how sexual and reproductive health is managed and negotiated in the context of structural inequality and complex social worlds. Research shows that where we live, the education and work opportunities we have access to and the gender norms we grow up with may all shape people's ability to negotiate risks and manage a disease like HIV.
In part 1, we critique the WHO definition of the social determinants of health, drawing from examples to show the importance of including social determinants in research on sexual and reproductive health. They share experiences of researching HIV in the UK and Tanzania and discuss how the disease has evolved from an ‘individual’ to a ‘social’ issue, relevant to social scientists as much as medical professionals.
Bios
Joyce Wamoyi: Social and Behavioural researcher at the National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania. Joyce has an MSc in community health and a PhD in social and Behavioural Sciences. For over 20 years, Dr. Wamoyi has worked on: Adolescents and Young people’s Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) behaviour; Structural drivers of SRH risk; HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; Parenting/ families and child outcomes; stigma and discrimination in access to SRH services; and qualitative and participatory research methods. In her work, she has explored the dynamics of transactional sex in adolescents and young women's sexual relationships in sub-Saharan Africa. She is currently working on the evaluation of the quality of implementation for the scale up of the Parenting for Lifelong Health programme in Tanzania. She is a member of the WHO Behavioural Insights Technical Advisory Group and UNICEF Advisory Board for a multi-country project.
Peter Keogh: Professor of Health and Society at the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at the Open University. Peter’s background is in community-based research and knowledge co-creation in the areas of HIV, LGBT+ health and rights and reproductive justice. Peter’s research focuses on the role of intimacy, embodiment, affect and materiality in people’s experiences of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. He engages critically with contemporary SRHR epistemologies drawing on biomedicalization, post-colonial and Marxist theory. Peter is involved in many projects which involve the co-creation of useful and applied knowledges with, by and for key communities.
Kevin Deane: Senior Lecturer and interdisciplinary specialist in Economics, Political Economy and International Development. Research interests focus on the political economy of health with an application to the HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa. Kevin has worked on a range of topics related to HIV including gender, migration, workplace programmes, HIV testing and the relationship between socio-economic status and HIV. He is also interested in the political and social determinants of malaria. Kevin is primarily a qualitative researcher with experience of conducting fieldwork in East Africa.
Martha Nicholson (facilitator): PhD Student in the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health research group at the Open University in the UK. Current research is a feminist ethnography on how nurses and midwives learn about abortion care in Northern Ireland. Working with a group of nurses and midwives, Martha is mapping out how abortion knowledge is produced, and how centres of learning and work may distort, silence and challenge access to that knowledge through dialogues, processes, and organisational texts.
This episode is a collaboration between the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for the Global Study of Development at the Open University.
In this two-part episode, hosted by Elizabeth Ascroft (co-founder of the podcast), we discuss girlhood in the context of international development. We are joined by Dr Jane Doka and Dr Alison Buckler, both experienced researchers in the field of education, inclusion, and youth transitions.
In Part 2, we talk about working with girls to capture the diversity of their experiences and hopes for the future. Alison and Jane provide insight into their research approaches including their use of storytelling methodologies.
This episode is a window into some of the issues that arise with dominant narratives around what youth transition should look like. The speakers advocate for celebrating alternative transition pathways and provide examples of how to better align our research approaches with girls’ realities.
Bios:
Dr Jane Doka is a Research Associate in International Education and Development at the Open University. She recently completed PhD research focused on the agency and education of marginalised girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her expertise lies in the intersection of girls’ education and youth transitions. Currently, Jane is a co-researcher on the OpenSTEM Africa project, an initiative aimed at enhancing girls' transitions into tertiary education, specifically within STEM-related subjects, through stakeholder engagement across West and East Africa. She is experienced in narrative research approaches and participatory action-based methodologies. Dr Doka is an active member of the Centre for the Study of Global Development, where she collaborates with other experts to address global educational challenges and promote sustainable development.
Dr Alison Buckler is a Senior Research Fellow at The Open University where she is a convenor of the International Education research group and Deputy Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Development. Her work focuses on using creative and narrative approaches to researching education, and she is the co-founder of the Ibali Network which supports people interested in using storytelling methodologies. She also co-leads a research strand of the SAGE (Supporting Adolescent Girls' Education) Programme, which is an FCDO-funded collaboration between the OU and Plan International.
Elizabeth Ascroft is a PhD research at Open University and her research explores the process of co-creating sexuality education materials with young people in Aruba. Prior to her PhD Elizabeth worked at Girl Effect, a programme provider for girls and young women in development contexts. Elizabeth is a researcher, activist and a creative and is most inspired when delving into her never-ending creative methods.
Follow us on X: @JaneDoka @AlisonBucklerEd @ElizAscroft
This episode has been produced by Elizabeth Ascroft.
This episode is a collaboration between the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for the Global Study of Development at the Open University.
In this episode, hosted by Elizabeth Ascroft (co-founder of the podcast), we discuss girlhood in the context of international development. We are joined by Dr Jane Doka and Dr Alison Buckler, both experienced researchers in the field of education, inclusion, and youth transitions.
In Part 1, we focus on the idea of girlhood and identify some of the tensions around these narratives in the international development sector. Drawing from their own research in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, the UK, Ghana and Kenya, Jane and Alison speak to girls’ agency in navigating girlhood and how this may differ at home, the community or within development-based programmes.
This two-part episode is a window into some of the issues that arise with dominant narratives around what youth transition should look like. The speakers advocate for celebrating alternative transition pathways and provide examples of how to better align our research approaches with girls’ realities.
Bios:
Dr Jane Doka is a Research Associate in International Education and Development at the Open University. She recently completed PhD research focused on the agency and education of marginalised girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her expertise lies in the intersection of girls’ education and youth transitions. Currently, Jane is a co-researcher on the OpenSTEM Africa project, an initiative aimed at enhancing girls' transitions into tertiary education, specifically within STEM-related subjects, through stakeholder engagement across West and East Africa. She is experienced in narrative research approaches and participatory action-based methodologies. Dr Doka is an active member of the Centre for the Study of Global Development, where she collaborates with other experts to address global educational challenges and promote sustainable development.
Dr Alison Buckler is a Senior Research Fellow at The Open University where she is a convenor of the International Education research group and Deputy Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Development. Her work focuses on using creative and narrative approaches to researching education, and she is the co-founder of the Ibali Network which supports people interested in using storytelling methodologies. She also co-leads a research strand of the SAGE (Supporting Adolescent Girls' Education) Programme, which is an FCDO-funded collaboration between the OU and Plan International.
Elizabeth Ascroft is a PhD research at Open University and her research explores the process of co-creating sexuality education materials with young people in Aruba. Prior to her PhD Elizabeth worked at Girl Effect, a programme provider for girls and young women in development contexts. Elizabeth is a researcher, activist and a creative and is most inspired when delving into her never-ending creative methods.
Follow us on X: @JaneDoka @AlisonBucklerEd @ElizAscroft
This episode has been produced by Elizabeth Ascroft.
This episode is a collaboration between the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for the Global Study of Development at the Open University.
In this episode hosted by Dr Ayomide Oluseye (Member of the OU research group on Reproduction, Sexuality and Sexual Health), we explore the intersections and societal impact of shame and stigma in the diverse contexts of abortion, poverty and foster-care. We explore how societal judgment surrounding these topics creates a web of challenges for especially people on the margins while affecting their ability to take an equal part in society.
We will hear from researchers at the Open University, Dr Carrie Purcell, Dr Justin Rogers and Dr Keetie Roelen, experts on reproductive health, foster care and social protection as they walk us through the implications of stigma as an individual and systemic issue. Finally, we discuss ways to normalise and dismantle these stigmas, from policy changes that promote affordable abortion care and social safety mechanisms to shifting the harmful language and discourses.
Whether you are passionate about reproductive rights, social justice, or simply want to learn more about the entanglements of stigma and shame, this episode will give you an overview of stigma as a societal and systemic issue. Join us as we untangle the web of stigma across different social sectors.
Bios:
Dr Carrie Purcell is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University. Carrie’s background is in medical sociology and qualitative methods, and she leads the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health Research Group. Her main research interests are around sexual and reproductive health (SRH), stigma and pain. She currently leads the Gender Pain Gap study and the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Scotland knowledge exchange project, and has led numerous studies on abortion and contraception, including the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS). SASS took a ‘big qual’ qualitative secondary analysis approach to analysing UK datasets on abortion spanning 10+ years, to inform understanding of abortion stigma and normalisation.
Dr Justin Rogers is a lecturer in social work at The Open University and has a background working with children and young people in alternative care. He has worked in fostering and adoption teams in the UK and also managed a secure residential unit. Additionally, he has worked in leadership roles in the charity sector with responsibilities for nonprofit fostering services globally. He has also contributed to care reform projects in various countries. Justin's research interests centre around children’s and families’ experiences of alternative care.
Dr Keetie Roelen is a Senior Research Fellow and Co-Deputy Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) at the Open University, UK. Her research focuses on areas of poverty, social protection and anti-poverty interventions in relation to children, women and psychosocial wellbeing. She is also host of her own podcast Poverty Unpacked, and has previously spoken with journalist and author Mary O’Hara in an episode about shame and stigma associated with poverty.
Dr Ayomide Oluseye is a Nigerian Lecturer at The Open University. Her PhD explored the lived experiences of pregnancy, motherhood and stigma among unmarried young mothers in rural Nigeria.
This episode was produced by Elise Denis-Ramirez.
This episode is a collaboration between the Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast and the Centre for the Global Study of Development at the Open University.
In this episode hosted by Dr Ayomide Oluseye (Member of the OU research group on Reproduction, Sexuality and Sexual Health), we explore the intersections and societal impact of shame and stigma in the diverse contexts of abortion, poverty and foster-care. We explore how societal judgment surrounding these topics creates a web of challenges for especially people on the margins while affecting their ability to take an equal part in society.
We will hear from researchers at the Open University, Dr Carrie Purcell, Dr Justin Rogers and Dr Keetie Roelen, experts on reproductive health, foster care and social protection as they walk us through the implications of stigma as an individual and systemic issue. Finally, we discuss ways to normalise and dismantle these stigmas, from policy changes that promote affordable abortion care and social safety mechanisms to shifting the harmful language and discourses.
Whether you are passionate about reproductive rights, social justice, or simply want to learn more about the entanglements of stigma and shame, this episode will give you an overview of stigma as a societal and systemic issue. Join us as we untangle the web of stigma across different social sectors.
Bios:
Dr Carrie Purcell is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University. Carrie’s background is in medical sociology and qualitative methods, and she leads the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health Research Group. Her main research interests are around sexual and reproductive health (SRH), stigma and pain. She currently leads the Gender Pain Gap study and the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Scotland knowledge exchange project, and has led numerous studies on abortion and contraception, including the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS). SASS took a ‘big qual’ qualitative secondary analysis approach to analysing UK datasets on abortion spanning 10+ years, to inform understanding of abortion stigma and normalisation.
Dr Justin Rogers is a lecturer in social work at The Open University and has a background working with children and young people in alternative care. He has worked in fostering and adoption teams in the UK and also managed a secure residential unit. Additionally, he has worked in leadership roles in the charity sector with responsibilities for nonprofit fostering services globally. He has also contributed to care reform projects in various countries. Justin's research interests centre around children’s and families’ experiences of alternative care.
Dr Keetie Roelen is a Senior Research Fellow and Co-Deputy Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) at the Open University, UK. Her research focuses on areas of poverty, social protection and anti-poverty interventions in relation to children, women and psychosocial wellbeing. She is also host of her own podcast Poverty Unpacked, and has previously spoken with journalist and author Mary O’Hara in an episode about shame and stigma associated with poverty.
Dr Ayomide Oluseye is a Nigerian Lecturer at The Open University. Her PhD explored the lived experiences of pregnancy, motherhood and stigma among unmarried young mothers in rural Nigeria.
This episode was produced by Elise Denis-Ramirez.
In this episode, Elise Denis-Ramirez is in conversation with Palestinian activist Ammal Awadallah and Sudanese activist Wafa Adam to learn more about the feminist sexual and reproductive rights resistance in Palestine and Sudan. We are hearing from two humanitarian contexts substantially influenced by war, displacement, and unprecedented unmet sexual and reproductive health needs. Recognising that both countries face a myriad of urgent humanitarian needs, we focus this conversation on sexual and reproductive rights and health. We reflect on the past and ongoing challenges and successes, while pondering on what feminist community-led knowledge production is needed in the future.
This podcast episode is a testament to bearing witness and listening as a method of feminist solidarity. Hearing from Ammal Awadallah and Wafa Adam, we learn more about the sexual and reproductive health needs, responses and everyday resistance in Palestine and Sudan. Join us for a conversation about reproductive (in)justice and the importance of solidarity and action in a global feminist debate on sexual and reproductive rights.
Bios:
Ammal Awadallah, a Palestinian women activist has been working with the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) since 2006. Ammal remains steadfast in working and being committed to providing sexual and reproductive health and rights services in a protracted humanitarian crisis reaching particularly vulnerable women and girls, determined that they have the human right to live a life of respect, dignity and protected from any form of gender-based violence. Ammal is dedicated to striving that one day “All people in the State of Palestine enjoy full and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom of choice, and access to services without discrimination”.
Wafa Adam, is a Sudanese sexual and reproductive health consultant and researcher, and a reproductive justice advocate from Sudan. She has an MSc in Reproductive Science and Women's Health from University College London and is an Alumni of Lund University SRHR programme. Wafa is a trustee at AmplifyChange and a co-founder of Young Activist Network for Abortion Advocacy (@YANAA). She was also the Sudan national advocacy coordinator for the RCOG Making abortion safe programme and one of the Sudan SRHR champions.
Elise Denis-Ramirez (Host), is a feminist researcher and consultant who works in gender and reproductive justice research and advocacy. Elise is committed to engaging in critical participatory action research that is creative, gender transformative, and intersectional. Elise is a PhD Candidate at the Open University with a focus on feminist approaches. Her PhD explores the complexities of sexuality, autonomy, and abortion through co-production with young women.
The episode was produced by Elise Denis-Ramirez.
In this episode, Elise Denis-Ramirez is in conversation with Palestinian activist Ammal Awadallah and Sudanese activist Wafa Adam to learn more about the feminist sexual and reproductive rights resistance in Palestine and Sudan. We are hearing from two humanitarian contexts substantially influenced by war, displacement, and unprecedented unmet sexual and reproductive health needs. Recognising that both countries face a myriad of urgent humanitarian needs, we focus this conversation on sexual and reproductive rights and health. We reflect on the past and ongoing challenges and successes, while pondering on what feminist community-led knowledge production is needed in the future.
This podcast episode is a testament to bearing witness and listening as a method of feminist solidarity. Hearing from Ammal Awadallah and Wafa Adam, we learn more about the sexual and reproductive health needs, responses and everyday resistance in Palestine and Sudan. Join us for a conversation about reproductive (in)justice and the importance of solidarity and action in a global feminist debate on sexual and reproductive rights.
Bios:
Ammal Awadallah, a Palestinian women activist has been working with the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) since 2006. Ammal remains steadfast in working and being committed to providing sexual and reproductive health and rights services in a protracted humanitarian crisis reaching particularly vulnerable women and girls, determined that they have the human right to live a life of respect, dignity and protected from any form of gender-based violence. Ammal is dedicated to striving that one day “All people in the State of Palestine enjoy full and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom of choice, and access to services without discrimination”.
Wafa Adam, is a Sudanese sexual and reproductive health consultant and researcher, and a reproductive justice advocate from Sudan. She has an MSc in Reproductive Science and Women's Health from University College London and is an Alumni of Lund University SRHR programme. Wafa is a trustee at AmplifyChange and a co-founder of Young Activist Network for Abortion Advocacy (@YANAA). She was also the Sudan national advocacy coordinator for the RCOG Making abortion safe programme and one of the Sudan SRHR champions.
Elise Denis-Ramirez (Host) is a feminist researcher and consultant who works in gender and reproductive justice research and advocacy. Elise is committed to engaging in critical participatory action research that is creative, gender transformative, and intersectional. Elise is a PhD Candidate at the Open University with a focus on feminist approaches. Her PhD explores the complexities of sexuality, autonomy, and abortion through co-production with young women.
The episode was produced by Elise Denis-Ramirez.
In this ThinkBites episode, three researchers Erica Millar, Camille Maes and Martha Nicholson share experiences of conducting research with abortion providers in three health care systems – Australia, Italy, and Northern Ireland.
In part one, they share what motivated them to start working in abortion research, the contexts that they work in, and the contested identities of health professionals who provide abortion care in each setting, in particular midwives. Their discussion frames abortion as both an essential health issue and a key political issue.
In part two, Erica, Camille and Martha take a deep dive into the intersection of the role of midwives and abortion care. They discuss institutional abortion stigma, objectification of female-dominated health professions and misunderstood policies on conscientious objection, and what this means for the ways that abortion knowledge is contested or absent from many institutions of work and learning. They talk about how abortion care is intrinsically linked with relations of power: gender-based power, social inequalities, medical dominance, and institutional authority. Along the way, you’ll hear about Erica, Camilla, and Martha’s research approaches, including their research frustrations and hopes for the future.
Participants
Martha Nicholson: PhD Student in the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health research group at the Open University in the UK. Current research is a feminist ethnography on how nurses and midwives learn about abortion care in Northern Ireland.
Erica Millar: Senior Research Fellow in Crime, Justice & Legal Studies, and Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia. Current research explores institutional abortion stigma: Identifying, understanding, and enacting the institutional and cultural change required for equitable access.
Camille Maes: PhD Student in the Department of Social Sciences of Gender and Sociological Theory at the University of Liège in Belgium. Current research is exploring midwives’ roles in abortion care in Italy.
To share feedback, please email martha.nicholson@open.ac.uk
Hosted and produced by Martha Nicholson.
In this ThinkBites episode, three researchers Erica Millar, Camille Maes and Martha Nicholson share experiences of conducting research with abortion providers in three health care systems – Australia, Italy, and Northern Ireland.
In part one, they share what motivated them to start working in abortion research, the contexts that they work in, and the contested identities of health professionals who provide abortion care in each setting, in particular midwives. Their discussion frames abortion as both an essential health issue and a key political issue.
In part two, Erica, Camille and Martha take a deep dive into the intersection of the role of midwives and abortion care. They discuss institutional abortion stigma, objectification of female-dominated health professions and misunderstood policies on conscientious objection, and what this means for the ways that abortion knowledge is contested or absent from many institutions of work and learning. They talk about how abortion care is intrinsically linked with relations of power: gender-based power, social inequalities, medical dominance, and institutional authority. Along the way, you’ll hear about Erica, Camilla, and Martha’s research approaches, including their research frustrations and hopes for the future.
Participants
Martha Nicholson: PhD Student in the Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health research group at the Open University in the UK. Current research is a feminist ethnography on how nurses and midwives learn about abortion care in Northern Ireland.
Erica Millar: Senior Research Fellow in Crime, Justice & Legal Studies, and Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia. Current research explores institutional abortion stigma: Identifying, understanding, and enacting the institutional and cultural change required for equitable access.
Camille Maes: PhD Student in the Department of Social Sciences of Gender and Sociological Theory at the University of Liège in Belgium. Current research is exploring midwives’ roles in abortion care in Italy.
Hosted and produced by Martha Nicholson.
To share feedback, please email Martha.nicholson@open.ac.uk
In this ThinkBites episode, Dr Rebecca Jones is in conversation with Dr Helen Bowes-Catton and Dr Sarah Jen about researching bisexuality and queerness across generations.
In part 1, Rebecca, Helen, and Sarah explore how meaning around identities, behaviours and attractions are made among bisexual and queer communities. Reflecting on the liminalities of age, they bring our attention to the richness of bisexual and queer identities and foreground the need to reflect this in our research.
In part 2, Rebecca, Helen, and Sarah offer their experiences as life course researchers and speak to some of their approaches and methods connecting with bisexual and queer communities. In this episode, you’ll hear about the realm of possibilities that emerge from cornucopias of craft materials, visual maps, life history reviews and love letters. Tune in to hear about their visions for future research and an exciting opportunity to contribute to the new Routledge book of bisexuality too!
Bios:
Dr Rebecca Jones (she/her) @remembermyhat (X/Bluesky) - is a Senior Lecturer in Health at The Open University, UK. She researches and teaches about sexuality across the life course and reimagining ageing in more inclusive ways. She specialises in the ageing of LGBTQ+ people and is particularly known for her work on bisexuality and ageing.
Dr Helen Bowes-Catton @helenbowescatton (X) (she/her)- is a Lecturer in Social Research Methods at The Open University, UK. She researches lived experiences of subjectivity and space in a variety of contexts, and is currently co-editing The Routledge International Handbook of Bisexuality, for which she is seeking further submissions- https://helenbowescatton.com/2023/09/30/second-call-for-chapter-proposals-routledge-international-handbook-of-bisexuality/
Dr Sarah Jen (she/her) - Sarah is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Work. Her research applies mainly qualitative and creative methods to examine the experiences of bisexual individuals in mid- to later life.
This episode was produced by Elizabeth Ascroft (she/her).
In this ThinkBites episode, Dr Rebecca Jones is in conversation with Dr Helen Bowes-Catton and Dr Sarah Jen about researching bisexuality and queerness across generations.
In part 1, Rebecca, Helen, and Sarah explore how meaning around identities, behaviours and attractions are made among bisexual and queer communities. Reflecting on the liminalities of age, they bring our attention to the richness of bisexual and queer identities and foreground the need to reflect this in our research.
In part 2, Rebecca, Helen, and Sarah offer their experiences as life course researchers and speak to some of their approaches and methods connecting with bisexual and queer communities. In this episode, you’ll hear about the realm of possibilities that emerge from cornucopias of craft materials, visual maps, life history reviews and love letters. Tune in to hear about their visions for future research and an exciting opportunity to contribute to the new Routledge book of bisexuality too!
Bios:
Dr Rebecca Jones (she/her) @remembermyhat (X/Bluesky) - is a Senior Lecturer in Health at The Open University, UK. She researches and teaches about sexuality across the life course and reimagining ageing in more inclusive ways. She specialises in the ageing of LGBTQ+ people and is particularly known for her work on bisexuality and ageing.
Dr Helen Bowes-Catton @helenbowescatton (X) (she/her)- is a Lecturer in Social Research Methods at The Open University, UK. She researches lived experiences of subjectivity and space in a variety of contexts, and is currently co-editing The Routledge International Handbook of Bisexuality, for which she is seeking further submissions- https://helenbowescatton.com/2023/09/30/second-call-for-chapter-proposals-routledge-international-handbook-of-bisexuality/
Dr Sarah Jen (she/her) - Sarah is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Work. Her research applies mainly qualitative and creative methods to examine the experiences of bisexual individuals in mid- to later life.
This episode was produced by Elizabeth Ascroft (she/her).
