Multidisciplinary hub co-creates new space for queer research in Calgary

A new multidisciplinary on-campus initiative aims to create space and visibility for people conducting research on queerness, with the goal of fostering connection and collaboration across disciplines and institutions.

And now the recently launched Queer Research Hub at the University of Calgary is preparing to host its inaugural public event, Queerposium, during Canadian Innovation Week in May.

“Multidisciplinary queer research is so incredibly important, especially in today's climate,” says Dr. Emma Farago, PhD, one of several UCalgary staff and graduate students who established the hub. “That's where we had the idea to create the Queer Research Hub as a gathering space to learn from others doing queer research and spark new collaborations.”

The hub was launched by Farago and Dr. Robyn Paul, BSc (Eng)’11, MSc’18, PhD’24, both assistant professors in the Schulich School of Engineering, alongside Dr. Tonya Callaghan, BA’90, BEd’96, PhD, a professor with the Werklund School of Education, and current graduate students Jamie Anderson, MA'20 (Werklund) and Josiah Lansang, BSc'24 (Faculty of Science). The hub is in partnership with the QriTical Hub (queer + trans research hub) at Mount Royal University.

With almost 95 members, the hub brings LGBTQ2S+ students, staff, postdocs, faculty and allies together. 

“I am so grateful to be in computer science conducting research on trans folks alongside my supervisor, Dr. Emma Towlson (with the Faculty of Science),” says Lansang. “Since there isn’t an existing network that fully connects people across the whole campus, creating this hub is so important for making sure our community can actually find and support one another.”

The team is planning their inaugural Queerposium event on May 11 to showcase queer research across disciplines and create an opportunity for new collaborations. 

“This event creates a space centred on queer research and its role in advancing critical, transformative scholarship," says Anderson. "We see it as an opportunity to build community amongst researchers across disciplines, roles and institutions in Calgary who are engaging in 2SLGBTQIA+ focused research."  

The event includes five-minute presentations from researchers across campus, plenty of opportunities for networking, and is the perfect place for those interested in learning more about the initiative and the work being done on campus to come and learn from those in the space. 

Taking place during 2026 Canadian Innovation Week, with the theme for May 11 being "Innovation Without Barriers," the Queerposium will celebrate those driving equity, accessibility, and belonging through creativity and collaboration.

Event details

Date: Monday, May 11 
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
Location: ENG 207, Schulich School of Engineering 

Registration closes on May 1. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees. 

Anyone, regardless of identity, department or research background is welcome to attend. Register to attend here.

Those interested in joining the Queer Research Hub can sign up for the mailing list.