I hold a PhD in Creative Writing from Queen Mary University, where my research has focused on the experiences of trans athletes, both elite and amateur. This has led to the creation of two Community Interest Companies - Queer Running Club (QRC) and Pecs Education - as well as the development of Hackney's first ever queer and trans only running and walking event called TRANSCEND.

I will visit inclusive sports clubs in Iceland and Australia to develop these projects further. I hope to expand QRC and ultimately contribute to building an International Transgender Framework for trans athletes, in collaboration with organisations in the UK. As it stands (in 2025) trans women have been banned from athletics and many sports policymakers have followed suit in the name of safety and fairness.

The idea of a truly level playing field in sport is a myth - factors like genetics, race, socioeconomic status and access to resources all influence performance, not just sex hormones. The decisions made for elite athletes confirm a narrative of exclusion and othering of trans people. My research will highlight how deeply gendered the UK's sports infrastructure is and seek change.