Project Overview

Phase 1: Nationwide Survey

An online survey will be conducted with 200 non-binary participants (aged 18+, living in the UK). Survey participants will be invited to answer questions on family expectations, experiences, identities, stigma and wellbeing. This will provide an important and novel insight into the way these factors are interrelated in marginalised communities.

Close-up of a blue sign with a yellow number 2, attached to a rusted metal surface.

Phase 2: In-depth interviews  

Online interviews will be conducted with 30 non-binary individuals at different ages and stages of life, recruited from Phase 1. Interviews will explore participants’ experiences of family life, including both ‘traditional’ forms of family (such as family of origin and decisions around parenthood) and chosen families (including friends, partners and pets). Interviewees will also be invited to participate in arts-based activities, including Photovoice and lifeline drawing.

Project Outputs

Academic outputs:

  • Academic journal articles and conference presentations, designed to reach an interdisciplinary academic audience

  • A Special Issue on non-binary families, bringing together the project’s findings with other relevant research

  • An end-of-project conference on ‘Non-Binary Families’ for academics, stakeholders, service providers and community members

Non-Academic outputs:

  • Infographics, illustrations and an animated video, created in collaboration with trans and non-binary artists

  • Workshops for service providers, to improve the family services offered to non-binary people

  • Free, public, end-of-project art and research exhibition at UCL

Data from both Phase 1 and 2 will be integrated to form the project outputs. These will be co-produced with our community co-researcher and the Community Advisory Board will provide input during the output production stage to maximise community impact.

Overall, the outputs of this project will aim to contribute to three key outcomes:

1.        Increasing the societal representation of non-binary families

2.        Improving services provided to non-binary individuals

3.        Advancing methodological and theoretical approaches to studying diverse genders and families