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An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University
Universities are perceived as non-judgmental because of their tolerant environments and emphasis on producing well-rounded students. Despite transformative initiatives to create an inclusive culture, transgender and gender diverse students may still feel that they are treated unfairly due to stigmat...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Organisational Psychology
2023
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| _version_ | 1867613274074251264 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | September, Miché |
| author2 | Price, Linda |
| author_browse | Price, Linda September, Miché |
| author_facet | Price, Linda September, Miché |
| author_sort | September, Miché |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Universities are perceived as non-judgmental because of their tolerant environments and emphasis on producing well-rounded students. Despite transformative initiatives to create an inclusive culture, transgender and gender diverse students may still feel that they are treated unfairly due to stigmatisation or poorly implemented diversity policies. Studies have focused mainly on the gender binary practice of transgender individuals assimilating to cisnormativity. Yet, relatively little work has considered the implications of campus life where transgender students may experience discrimination because of gender-exclusive policies and practices (residence halls, bathrooms, public inclusion, training, and support). This study sought to address this gap. Data from a thematic analysis of qualitative semi-structured interviews were utilised to understand trans* students' perceptions and lived experiences at a South African university. Most of the participants revealed that a hostile climate for transgender students prevailed on campus and that the institution lacks resources and education on transgender issues. Findings reported three major themes: (1) Navigating the power of privilege and institutional systemic oppression; (2) Misalignment and invalidation of one's gender identity on campus; (3) The importance of understanding transgender health from a gender minority experience. Recommendations for creating greater inclusion for transgender students on university campuses are presented. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/37840 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:31.121Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publishDateRange | 2023 |
| publishDateSort | 2023 |
| publisher | Organisational Psychology |
| publisherStr | Organisational Psychology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/37840 An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University September, Miché Price, Linda transgender higher education diversity inclusion heteronormativity, cisgender Universities are perceived as non-judgmental because of their tolerant environments and emphasis on producing well-rounded students. Despite transformative initiatives to create an inclusive culture, transgender and gender diverse students may still feel that they are treated unfairly due to stigmatisation or poorly implemented diversity policies. Studies have focused mainly on the gender binary practice of transgender individuals assimilating to cisnormativity. Yet, relatively little work has considered the implications of campus life where transgender students may experience discrimination because of gender-exclusive policies and practices (residence halls, bathrooms, public inclusion, training, and support). This study sought to address this gap. Data from a thematic analysis of qualitative semi-structured interviews were utilised to understand trans* students' perceptions and lived experiences at a South African university. Most of the participants revealed that a hostile climate for transgender students prevailed on campus and that the institution lacks resources and education on transgender issues. Findings reported three major themes: (1) Navigating the power of privilege and institutional systemic oppression; (2) Misalignment and invalidation of one's gender identity on campus; (3) The importance of understanding transgender health from a gender minority experience. Recommendations for creating greater inclusion for transgender students on university campuses are presented. 2023-04-26T11:52:09Z 2023-04-26T11:52:09Z 2022 2023-04-26T11:24:56Z Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37840 eng application/pdf Organisational Psychology Faculty of Commerce |
| spellingShingle | transgender higher education diversity inclusion heteronormativity, cisgender September, Miché An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| title_full | An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| title_fullStr | An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| title_full_unstemmed | An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| title_short | An exploration into the meaning that trans* students attach to their experiences at a South African University |
| title_sort | exploration into the meaning that trans students attach to their experiences at a south african university |
| topic | transgender higher education diversity inclusion heteronormativity, cisgender |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37840 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT septembermiche anexplorationintothemeaningthattransstudentsattachtotheirexperiencesatasouthafricanuniversity AT septembermiche explorationintothemeaningthattransstudentsattachtotheirexperiencesatasouthafricanuniversity |