Graphic Design by Micky, London Champion at Architecture LGBT+, from HOK
QuEAN – Queer Educators in Architecture Network
QuEAN is an emerging network of queer spatial design educators – with a focus on queer theory, pedagogies, identities and its intersections with spatial design; inclusive of architecture, interior design, planning and beyond. The network is founded and chaired by Gem Barton (she/her) and is run in collaboration with ArchitectureLGBT+.
QuEAN is born out of the often toxic culture and lack of representation and understanding of queer identity and action in many architecture and design schools.. The aim of QuEAN is to provide a critical community of practice; to stimulate new debate and exchange of ideas between researchers, educators, students, professionals and disciplinary bodies. Ultimately our goal is to inform major inclusionary shifts in architecture and spatial design pedagogy (learning from queer pedagogy and queer theory). In an ideal world we would initiate and contribute to an Architecture School ‘Inclusionary Charter’ ensuring ‘culture’ and ‘pedagogy’ become considerations in programme validations and prescriptions.
Gem Barton - Photo credit: Piers Alladyce
Gem is currently making an application for funding to support the development of the network and is keen to receive Expressions of Interest from academics/educators who are interested in being founding members, as well as for those interested in individual and school/programme memberships.
To be eligible you must:
be/have been a University educator/researcher of a spatial design discipline (architecture, interiors, city design, urban planning etc)
identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or teach/research fundamentally engaging with queer identity, theory, pedagogy, politics
Please reach out: link to Gem’s email [gemma.barton@rca.ac.uk]
For further information see Gem’s RCA profile and Linkedin.