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Open University vs. transgender people

The UK’s Open University is notable for its academic group dedicated to opposing transgender rights. Sex and gender minorities and their supporters should consider other educational options until this changes.

Background

OU was established in 1969. It is a mix of in-person and distance learning options. OU has over 200,000 students enrolled worldwide.

Anti-transgender activism

The OU Gender Critical Research Network was founded in 2021 by Jon Pike, Laura McGrath, Jo Phoenix, and Rosa Freeman.

Organizing group

  • Jon Pike
  • Laura McGrath
  • Becky Devlin
  • Jessica Evans
  • Hannah R. Marston

Network members

  • Jo Phoenix, University of Reading 
  • Selina Todd, Oxford University
  • Emma Milne, Durham University
  • Rosa Freedman, University of Reading
  • Sarah Pedersen, Robert Gordon University
  • Samantha Pay, PhD Candidate, Oxford University
  • Holly Lawford-Smith, University of Melbourne
  • Tomas Bogardus, Pepperdine University 
  • Sophie Allen, Keele University 
  • Alice Sullivan, University College London
  • Rose Rickford, PhD Candidate, University of York

Participants

  • Lisa Littman
  • Rose Rickford, York University
  • Charlotte Edun, York University
  • Amy Mowle, Victoria University Australia
  • Laura Favaro
  • Simon Fanshawe
  • Mary Leng
  • Cathy Devine

References

OU Health and Wellbeing PRA (June 16, 2021). Launch of The Gender Critical Research Network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMXwAN9A1U

Resources

Open University (open.ac.uk)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

YouTube (youtube.com)