Queer Data: Methods, approaches, and what is queer social research anyway?

How do our methods of data collection and analysis impact on the populations we study? What does it mean to use queer methods for social research? Are queer methods only for studying LGBTIQ+ people?

This workshop for students and early career researchers using, or interested in using, queer methods for social science research, aims to explore what it means to queer our data and methods, and how we can think about social research and the impact our work can have on marginalised populations.

The event begins with a keynote lecture and Q&A from Dr Kevin Guyan. We then have time for participants to present their work in progress and ongoing research for discussion feedback.

This workshop is for anyone interested in considering how we collect data, and what it means for the populations we work with, whether you work directly with LGBTIQ+ populations, or are looking to bring queer methodologies to the study of broader social questions.

Kevin is also available from 2-4pm for one-to-one or small group discussions with students. Please contact him directly (kevin.guyan@ed.ac.uk) if you are interested.

Biography

Kevin Guyan is a writer and researcher whose work explores the intersection of data and identity. He is the author of Rainbow Trap: Queer Lives, Classifications and the Dangers of Inclusion (Bloomsbury Academic, 2025) and Queer Data: Using Gender, Sex and Sexuality Data for Action (Bloomsbury Academic, 2022). Kevin is a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the Gender + Sexuality Data Lab.