You are invited to take part in this research exploring the educational experiences of gifted young people in Aotearoa, who do not (exclusively) identify with
the gender they were assigned at birth
This study is interested in engaging with those who:
-
Are gifted and do not (exclusively) identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Participants might use one or more terms including transgender, trans, non-binary, MVPFAFF+, gender queer, or something else entirely
-
Are aged 16-24
And:
-
Are currently, or have previously attended school, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu /Correspondence school, or have been homeschooled in Aotearoa, for at least 2 years
What to expect:
-
Participation is completely confidential & voluntary. Names and identifying information will be removed from all data
-
Receive a $40 gift card for each phase of research that you participate in
-
Interviews 60-90 mins, in person, online, or in writing
-
You will be invited to create a piece of work that represents your experience or feelings about your identity to then discuss in the interview. This could be a written piece - a poem, or fictional or nonfiction, a photograph, a drawing or collage, or something else!
-
You have control over your interview transcript - you will be able to review & edit it
-
Opportunities to get involved with the research process
-
what might be important to you in this research?
-
review & discuss themes from the research
-
discuss & direct what can be done with this research
-
what outcomes would you like to see from this research?
-
Giftedness
A gifted person can be described as someone who
"who has high abilities in relation to their peers of the same age in one or more areas (including intellectual, creative, social, cultural and physical), along with particular personal qualities like intensity, sensitivity and big emotions.”
(New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education, 2024)
There are some links between giftedness and neurodiversity (NZCGE, 2023), and there is growing research that suggests that people who are neurodiverse are more likely to identify with trans or non-binary identities. This research aims to be neurodiverse-affirming, in particular by considering interview settings and interview options, and prioritising accessibility across all interactions.
Giftedness means different things across different cultures and communities. This research honours and embraces these differences and seeks to recruit a diverse range of giftedness within its participants.
You may be gifted if you:
-
have participated in in-school gifted and talented programmes, this may include leadership roles in cultural programmes or in events such as Pasifika Fusion, Polyfest, Te Huinga Whetū, Ngā Manu Kōrero, or Ringa Toi
-
have been accelerated by subject or full year/s - this could include subjects such as Fanau Pacifika, visual arts, music, te Reo, or Māori performing arts
-
have been identified by your school's gifted and talented coordinator
-
have entered university early
-
have attended an externally provided gifted programme
-
have been identified as gifted through an educational psychologist report
If you have been identified as gifted and have struggled at school, or left school early, your participation is extremely valuable
Giftedness doesn't necessarily mean academic success
Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction. Double click to edit and add your own text.
What happens with this research?
The information from this research will be used in my PhD thesis, academic publications, non-academic publications and conferences. It is intended that it will also be used to create resources for both the gifted and trans communities, schools and trans-allied organisations.
What kind of research is this?
This research is a qualitative exploration of lived experience. Interviews will be face to face, online, or written responses to questions.
Why is it important?
There are a handful of international studies on gifted LGBTQ students, but the exploration of transgender and gender diverse identities within these is minimal, and there are none published on the experiences in Aotearoa. By being involved you'll be contributing to the knowledge in this field.
About me
Work
Personal
Beliefs
I have a diverse background which includes a professional career in stage management for theatre and events for over 20 years, involvement in Playcentre for nine years, tutoring and mentoring at Toi Whakaari Drama School for three years, and more recently, studying at Victoria University for a PhD. I am also a director of our family business.
I'm Larissa, I'm a pākeha, straight, cis woman and I have two teenagers who were identified as gifted when they were in primary school. I've been involved with the gifted community for over ten years, and have strong links to the queer community through whānau, friends and colleagues.
I'm a passionate believer that young people are informed, critical, they are often more ‘right’ than the adults in the room, and they have much more at stake than I ever did at their age. Their right to voice experience and identity is critical, particularly as national and international politics and culture take a lurch to the right.