Trans and Nonbinary Student Experience Project

This project builds on our partnership with the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) and previous project gathering feedback on the trans, nonbinary, and/or otherwise gender nonconforming student experience of filling out survey and form categories in UofT documentation. In this project, the Innovation will design and facilitate design thinking sessions in which we will share back what we heard and gather further insights from communities. The design thinking sessions will also include ideating how UofT can be more inclusive of trans and non-binary communities in key areas, including online environments, in-person group gatherings, and trans and non-binary inclusive student engagement.

Our Findings

Our work with Trans and Nonbinary Student Experience Project began in Summer 2021.

What are the needs and experiences of trans, nonbinary and/or otherwise gender nonconforming students on University documents, surveys, and more? - Summer 2021

Students are often queried by the University for their name and gender on items such as documentation, surveys, and more. While it may appear standard to include such queries, the standard form of name and gender categories also raise questions concerning the purpose of such identification and how it allows for—or does not—student self-determination. Through student consultation, the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) and the Innovation Hub partnered to gain a better understanding of trans, nonbinary, and/or otherwise gender nonconforming student communities’ identification needs and experiences, with particular consideration on the identification categories used on surveys and the Change of Name and Gender Request Form.

Conversation bubble with a three circles in the middle, overlapping and connecting with one another.