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Introduction <p>The emergence and development of LGBTQI + studies within the past few decades have faced many challenges. Although there is a growing body of scientific knowledge and courses, the most recent wave of backlash against gender and sexuality studies, known as anti-gender mobilization, has drastically threatened the advancement of the field and the well-being of scholars. Based on this, the study aims to explore the personal and professional challenges faced by scholars working on LGBTQI + topics in Europe.</p> Methods <p>This study is based on 49 self-reported online questionnaires with scholars working on LGBTQI + issues across Europe. The data was collected between February 2022 and April 2023. The submitted questionnaires were individually coded with the use of MaxQDA software.</p> Results <p>The data suggests that (1) an increasing number of scholars engage in LGBTQI+ studies as a personal reflection and deploy their knowledge in activism; (2) almost half of the participants have experienced personal and institutional challenges due to the nature of their work; (3) the anti-gender mobilizations have intensified and strengthened the “dirty work” status of LGBTQI + studies; and (4) more than half of the respondents have confirmed political hostility and public attacks towards LGBTQI + studies in their country, and one third have expressed fear of future political attack in contexts where it is not prevalent currently.</p> Conclusions <p>Researchers working on LGBTQI + topics experience personal and professional difficulties that those not involved in this type of research are less likely to experience. While the threats and difficulties at the workplace and in the institutional context have affected the well-being of the participants, there is an increasing number of people who are engaged in LGBTQI + topics due to anti-gender mobilization and political hostility.</p> Policy Implications <p>Although anti-gender mobilization has become a significant political force in the past few years, there has been no coordinated response to these threats, which attack the legitimacy of LGBTQI + studies and the well-being of scholars. An integrated response and policy implementation are crucial for the development of the field. More specifically, the following should be considered when approaching the issue systematically: (1) professional solidarity; (2) Coordinated institutional support and framework on an institutional level; (3) a common strategic plan by the major professional associations; (4) inclusion of anti-gender mobilization in the strategic policies and research priorities of EU programs and politics; and (5) reconsideration of national policies regarding the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge.</p>

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Doing “Dirty Work” in Academia: Personal and Institutional Experiences of Researchers Working on LGBTQI + Topics in Europe

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月13日

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  • Shaban Darakchi,
  • Veronika Valkovičová

摘要

Introduction

The emergence and development of LGBTQI + studies within the past few decades have faced many challenges. Although there is a growing body of scientific knowledge and courses, the most recent wave of backlash against gender and sexuality studies, known as anti-gender mobilization, has drastically threatened the advancement of the field and the well-being of scholars. Based on this, the study aims to explore the personal and professional challenges faced by scholars working on LGBTQI + topics in Europe.

Methods

This study is based on 49 self-reported online questionnaires with scholars working on LGBTQI + issues across Europe. The data was collected between February 2022 and April 2023. The submitted questionnaires were individually coded with the use of MaxQDA software.

Results

The data suggests that (1) an increasing number of scholars engage in LGBTQI+ studies as a personal reflection and deploy their knowledge in activism; (2) almost half of the participants have experienced personal and institutional challenges due to the nature of their work; (3) the anti-gender mobilizations have intensified and strengthened the “dirty work” status of LGBTQI + studies; and (4) more than half of the respondents have confirmed political hostility and public attacks towards LGBTQI + studies in their country, and one third have expressed fear of future political attack in contexts where it is not prevalent currently.

Conclusions

Researchers working on LGBTQI + topics experience personal and professional difficulties that those not involved in this type of research are less likely to experience. While the threats and difficulties at the workplace and in the institutional context have affected the well-being of the participants, there is an increasing number of people who are engaged in LGBTQI + topics due to anti-gender mobilization and political hostility.

Policy Implications

Although anti-gender mobilization has become a significant political force in the past few years, there has been no coordinated response to these threats, which attack the legitimacy of LGBTQI + studies and the well-being of scholars. An integrated response and policy implementation are crucial for the development of the field. More specifically, the following should be considered when approaching the issue systematically: (1) professional solidarity; (2) Coordinated institutional support and framework on an institutional level; (3) a common strategic plan by the major professional associations; (4) inclusion of anti-gender mobilization in the strategic policies and research priorities of EU programs and politics; and (5) reconsideration of national policies regarding the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge.