Research Team

  • Susie is seen smiling. She is wearing a white short sleeve collared shirt with embroidered flowers and stands in front of a concrete wall.

    Dr Susie Bower-Brown

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (she/they)

    Susie is a Lecturer in Social Psychology at the Thomas Coram Research Unit in the Social Research Institute at UCL. Susie has a wide range of experience of conducting research on LGBTQ+ identities and diverse family forms. Susie leads the Family Beyond the Binary Study through an ESRC New Investigator Award (2025-2028).

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    Read my previous research.

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    Dr Cal Horton

    RESEARCH FELLOW (they/them)

    Dr Cal Horton is a Research Fellow specialising in applied trans studies. Their work focuses on the experiences of trans children, young people and families, with a focus on rights and wellbeing in society, education and healthcare. Their work frequently examines the power dynamics experienced by trans communities, including the impact of cis-supremacy.

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  • Close-up black and white photo of a person's face, smiling gently, with short hair and wearing an earring.

    Hil Aked 

    COMMUNITY CO-RESEARCHER (they/he)

    This project is being conducted in collaboration with Hil Aked, Research Co-Ordinator at Gendered Intelligence. Hil is a writer, investigative researcher and activist with a background in political sociology. Hil is collaborating on all aspects of the study, including study design, participant recruitment and output creation. 

  • Portrait of a person with a beard and brown hair, wearing a blue checkered shirt, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

    Professor David Frost

    PROJECT MENTOR (he/him)

    David is a Professor of Social Psychology at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, in UCL’s Social Research Institute. His research interests sit at the intersection of close relationships, stress, stigma and health. As Project Mentor, David will support the project and Research Team.

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Interns

  • Maddie

    INTERN (she/her)

    SEP 25 - OCT 25

    Website Design

  • Portrait of a person with medium-length dark hair, wearing a black blazer over a white top, standing against a textured wall.

    Regina

    INTERN (she/her)

    OCT 25-MAY 26

    Research Assistant

    Social Media Manager

  • Portrait of as person with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a striped shirt, standing outdoors in front of a metal fence and a cloudy sky.

    India

    INTERN (she/her)

    OCT 25-MAY 26

    Research Assistant

    Website Manager

Gendered Intelligence Logo

Gendered Intelligence is a trans-led and trans-involving charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people. This study is being conducted in close collaboration with Gendered Intelligence.

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TCRU logo

The Principal Investigator, Research Fellow and Project Mentor are based at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, part of the Social Research Institute at University College London.

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Economic and Social Research Council logo

ESRC funding

This project is funded by an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) New Investigator Grant (2025-2028).

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