Improving our understanding of trans and non-binary people's experiences of cities contributes to urban planning & policy.
Matt Smith joins us from the University of Brighton, where their applied social sciences PhD seeks to contribute to improving urban spaces for trans and non-binary individuals.
Matt's research employs a variety of research methods to understand people's 'embodied' experiences of city spaces in Brighton. 'Body mapping' allows individuals to express their visceral feelings through drawing on an outline of their body, while 'community mapping' maps people's experiences of different areas in Brighton onto a physical map. Translating these experiences allows a bridge between disciplines, hopefully feeding into urban planning and policy.
We talk about how developing cities to be trans-inclusive can contribute to a more positive experience for all inhabitants. What makes a space trans- and non-binary-inclusive? What is a good example of urban planning in which everyone's needs have been considered?
We also discuss an interesting chapter during Matt's Masters in Sweden, where he he recruited participants for his dissertation project partly through the social networking app Grindr. Tips on this method of recruitment are included!
Matt is an Applied Social Science PhD researcher at the University of Brighton. Their research seeks to contribute to the improvement of trans and non-binary people’s experiences of cities, which in turn improves the experience of all inhabitants.
Follow Matt on Twitter @queeryingspace