This is now open.

2023 theme: Gender, Sexuality and the Politics of Disability

This programme offers non-academic activists working around issues of gender and/or sexuality and disability a funded residency (1-2 months with flexibility) at the University of Brighton. The aim is to foster connections and intellectual and political exchange between academics and non-academic activists. Applicants don’t need any academic background or training, just a desire to develop and share activist knowledges around gender, sexuality and disability.

The residency will give activists access to the University’s resources (including desk space, venues/rooms, media equipment, art practice spaces, lectures, libraries, journals, administrative support, and academic staff). In addition, the Activist-In-Residence will receive a budget of £1,000 to be spent on new or existing activist projects/activities, travel, accommodation, living expenses, and other desired resources to support their residency. Activists do not need an existing project to apply and are welcome to use the time and resources just to help advance their thinking and develop new ideas.

During the residency the Activist-In-Residence will use the University’s resources to develop their activist thinking, work, or projects; and to contribute to the University’s intellectual and political culture. We hope that the Activist-In-Residence will directly engage the University’s staff and students in some way – this might involve:

  • Meeting, discussing, and working with academic staff, students, and local activists
  • Running a workshop
  • Creating an artefact
  • Planning an arts exhibition or film screening
  • Writing a publication
  • Designing a zine, video, or podcast
  • Designing a social media campaign

We welcome applications from activists who do work around different issues of gender, sexuality and disability, from a variety of perspectives and intersections. This might include (but is by no means limited to):

  • Disability and sexual freedom
  • Sexual and reproductive rights
  • Inter-movement alliances between gender and disability rights activism
  • Ableism, homo – bi- trans phobia and racism
  • Gender and disability
  • Neuroqueer activism
  • Gender, sexuality and learning disabilities
  • Asexuality and ace activism
  • Trans disability activism
  • Crip theory
  • Feminist and queer visual activism
  • people of colour gender and sexuality and disability activism
  • LGBTQ+ and disabled intersectionality
  • LGBTQ+ and / or disabled people’s representation in the media
  • Digital media and dating apps
  • Activisms based in LGBTQ+ and disability subcultures
  • Domestic abuse and coercive control
  • Pride events and access
  • Improving healthcare
  • Histories of gender, sexuality and disability activism

The application process of 2023

To apply for the University of Brighton’s Gender, Sexuality & Disability Activist-in-Residence Programme, the call is made to complete the application form and send to sexgencentre@brighton.ac.uk by 31 March 2023.

The process for selection is that a successful applicant will be chosen by a selection panel from CTSG and CAPPE. When reviewing applications the panel will consider: the fit with the ethos and aims of the CTSG and CAPPE; the potential for communicating the importance of recognizing the intersectionality of gender/ sexuality and disability; the potential for dialogue and knowledge exchange between the hosting institution and the activist in residence. The decision will be announced in April, and the residency is expected to take place sometime between April – June (with some flexibility). The residency must have been completed and approved costs claimed by end of July.

International applications are welcome but while we are happy to provide a letter of invitation the programme cannot pay for visas. Individuals who wish to represent larger activist groups are welcome to apply. Download the application form: HERE. Feel free to let us know about any access needs so that we can assist with suitable adjustments.