The Ethics of Strategic Framing in Queer/Trans* Research: Protection, Access, and Transformation

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Traditional IRB protocols protect individual participants but fail to address institutional harms facing queer and trans* communities in educational research. As Supreme Court decisions expand religious liberty claims and hostile policies spread, researchers need ethical frameworks beyond compliance. This symposium introduces "strategic framing" as an ethical methodology for protecting participants through intentional research design and dissemination strategies.

Four panelists share concrete protective strategies: navigating IRB approval in conservative contexts, developing "literacy of necessity" for survival, implementing intersectional approaches for intersectionally marginalized researchers, and using administrative power for "protective interference." The session models protective practices through anonymous strategy sharing. Together, we create a living document bridging theoretical ethics with practical survival tools for researchers and communities navigating hostile institutional environments.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Queer Studies

Chair

• Jason Laker, San José State University

Papers

• The Ethics of Strategic Framing in Queer/Trans* Research: Protection, Access, and Transformation - Shanna Peeples, West Texas A&M University; Em Bowen, University of Arizona; Ferial Pearson, University of Nebraska - Omaha; Jason Laker, San José State University

• Strategic IRB Navigation in Conservative Contexts: Protective Language and Community Partnership in Queer/Trans* Research - Shanna Peeples, West Texas A&M University

• Literacy of Necessity: Graduate Student Survival Knowledge in Hostile Institutional Climates - Em Bowen, University of Arizona

• Intersectional Approaches to Strategic Framing: Protecting BIPOC Queer Researchers and Communities - Ferial Pearson, University of Nebraska - Omaha

• Protective Interference: Administrative Allyship in Practice for Community-Protective Research - Jason Laker, San José State University

Session Organizer

• Shanna Peeples, West Texas A&M University

Discussants

• Ferial Pearson, University of Nebraska - Omaha

• Em Bowen, University of Arizona

• Shanna Peeples, West Texas A&M University