Workshop on Queering the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

Workshop on Queering the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

Date: Friday, December 6th, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Trinity College Dublin, School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies (Room G7)

This interactive event, co-hosted by Dr. Jamie Hagen (University of Manchester) and Dr. Anupama Ranawana (Durham University), will explore strategies to ensure greater inclusivity within the WPS framework, focusing on LGBTQ engagement and collaborations with feminist and queer organisations. Any questions about the event please email richara3@tcd.ie.

As a preview, you can access the Queer WPS Toolkit here: [https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/centre-for-gender-in-politics/PolicyBriefs/Toolkit/]. Authored by Jamie J. Hagen, Anupama Ranawana, Valentina Parra, Laura Beltrán, María Susana Peralta Ramón, and Nathalie Mercier.

The workshop will feature a presentation on the toolkit followed by discussions across three themes, including queering the WPS agenda, working with queer civil society organisations, and reviewing Irish WPS National Action Plans (NAPs).

We’re excited to engage with participants in this timely and critical conversation. Please let us know if you can attend, and feel free to share this invitation with colleagues who might be interested. This event is trans inclusive. All participants are required to comply with the code of conduct included below.

Themes for the tables:

• Queering the WPS agenda;
• Working with queer civil society organisations;
• Reviewing Irish WPS National Action Plans (NAPs).

Co-hosted by:

• Dr. Jamie Hagen (University of Manchester);
• Dr. Anupama Ranawana (Durham University);
• Laura Beltrán (Columbia Diversa).

Facilitators:

• Dr Gillian Wylie (Trinity College Dublin) - Gillian is an Associate Professor in International Peace Studies and the Head of the International Peace Studies MPhil program at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on the intersections of gender, peace, and conflict, with a particular emphasis on human trafficking, feminist perspectives on international relations, and the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Dr. Wylie has published widely on topics related to migration, gender-based violence, and ethical responses to global challenges, and she is known for her contributions to advancing critical and feminist approaches in peace and conflict studies.
• Dr Jamie Hagen (University of Manchester) - Jamie is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Manchester and a leading scholar in the fields of gender, sexuality, and security studies. Her research focuses on queering the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, exploring how diverse sexual orientations and gender identities intersect with peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Dr. Hagen’s work has been widely published, contributing to debates on LGBTQ+ inclusion in international policy frameworks, feminist security studies, and the ethics of peace and conflict research. She is also a co-director of the Centre for Gender and Global Security and is committed to advancing intersectional approaches to security and international relations.
• Dr. Anupama Ranawana (Durham University) - Anupama is a scholar and practitioner in the fields of feminist theology, decolonial thought, and peacebuilding. Currently based at Durham University, her interdisciplinary research examines the intersections of religion, gender, and justice, with a focus on decolonising peace studies and fostering inclusive approaches to conflict transformation. Dr. Ranawana’s work is informed by her commitment to centering marginalised voices, particularly in Global South contexts, and she has contributed extensively to discussions on the role of feminist and postcolonial methodologies in international peace and development.
• Tara Grace Connolly (Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission) - Tara is a cross-border feminist activist and advocate from West Belfast. She was the first person from the North to serve as Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate. She is currently a member of the NCAFP’s NI Emerging Leaders programme and an inaugural fellow of the Global Fellows in Courage Gender Justice accelerator programme. She is a member of the All-Island Women’s Forum and the Shared Island Youth Forum. She also completed the 2022/23 Centre for Democracy and Peacebuilding Fellowship. Tara Grace is a former Chairperson, Treasurer and Adult Advisor to the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. Tara Grace is a graduate of the Washington Ireland Program and Rethinking Conflict’s “Emerging Young Leaders Programme. In 2018, Tara Grace co-founded “Our Future, Our Choice NI,” a youth-led pro-EU campaign. She previously worked at BBC Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. She is currently an Engagement & Communications Officer at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
• Basira Paigham (OutRight International) - Basira is an Afghan queer woman, independent consultant, researcher, and dedicated LGBTQ+ human rights defender. She serves as a UN Rights and Religion Fellow at OutRight International. Since 2015, Basira has worked as a gender advisor and consultant with international and national NGOs in Afghanistan and beyond. Through online platforms, she has provided vital support to Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community, working discreetly to ensure their safety. In collaboration with international allies, she played a crucial role in evacuating community members to Ireland, Sweden, and the UK. Basira also conducts research and advocates for the human rights of Muslim LGBTQ+ individuals. is an Afghan queer woman, independent consultant, researcher, and dedicated LGBTQ+ human rights defender. She serves as a UN Rights and Religion Fellow at OutRight International. Since 2015, Basira has worked as a gender advisor and consultant with international and national NGOs in Afghanistan and beyond. Through online platforms, she has provided vital support to Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community, working discreetly to ensure their safety. In collaboration with international allies, she played a crucial role in evacuating community members to Ireland, Sweden, and the UK. Basira also conducts research and advocates for the human rights of Muslim LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Alexandra Richardson (Trinity College Dublin) - Alex is a PhD Candidate in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on queering the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, examining the inclusion of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) within international peace and security frameworks. With a background in gender studies and international relations, Alexandra’s work bridges academic inquiry and advocacy, aiming to challenge binary understandings of gender and promote intersectional approaches to peacekeeping. Their work also explores the role of queer organisations in shaping inclusive peace processes and advancing the safety and well-being of marginalised communities globally.

Code of Conduct:

We are committed to ensuring this event is a safe, open, respectful, supporting and inclusive space. By joining this convening, participants agree to adhering to the following principles:

Interact and engage respectfully. We welcome differences in opinion, disagreement and opposing viewpoints, as they contribute to a healthy debate and lead to more thorough outcomes. However, differing and opposing opinions must be expressed respectfully and without malicious intent.

Be mindful of multiple lived experiences. Participants should strive to engage with others without judgment, presumptions about others' identities, status or intentions.

Use inclusive language. Pay attention to how people want to be referred to, what their pronouns are, and use inclusive language. Disrespectful language will not be tolerated.

Be conscious of people’s safety. Do not quote, or photograph, or tag anyone in social media without their permission.

Challenge inappropriate or offensive behavior, including, but not limited to, harassment, bullying, verbal violence, LGBTQIA-phobia, classism, ageism, ableism, racism, misogyny, and/or heterosexism. Inappropriate or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

Actions we are taking to create a safe space:

Staff will monitor spoken and written communication, respond to any requests, and strive to ensure the space remains safe and respectful. We will look out for inappropriate comments, sharing of links or other content which does not respect the spirit of the space we seek to foster, and address any inappropriate comments made during the gathering.

How you can help us to keep this space safe:

Your help in identifying actions that go against the above-mentioned principles is welcomed and appreciated. If you experience or witness disrespectful, offensive or otherwise inappropriate behavior you should notify one of the event organisers immediately.

What will we do in the case of a breach?

If opinions are expressed in a less than respectful manner, the organisers will issue individual participants one verbal warning. If the warning is not heeded, the organisers reserve the right to remove any participants from the space.

Thank you for helping us create an inclusive and respectful event for all. In the spirit of participatory community-building, should you see an opportunity to improve this Code of Conduct, let us know what language you believe should be added or amended. This code of conduct was adapted from the Outright International Code of Conduct.