While many universities and research organisations increasingly adopt equality and diversity measures, LGBTIQ+ inclusion is uneven and often subsumed under broader Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agendas. A new article by GenTIC researchers Javier Quirós Gómez and Rachel Palmén presents a critical review of publications from the last 25 years, mapping how higher education institutions handle LGBTIQ+ inclusion and how intersectionality is considered or not.

Research results identified key areas of action, from governance instruments such as equality plans, to campus climate interventions, resource centres and support infrastructures, curriculum and staff training, and emerging monitoring practices. However, the study highlights a gap: intersectionality is frequently mentioned but rarely put into practice when designing or evaluating these policies.

The authors conclude that the current approach to institutional LGBTIQ+ inclusion is fragmented and insufficiently intersectional. They suggest that universities should explicitly name LGBTIQ+ communities, implement structural measures and develop ethical, intersectional monitoring systems in collaboration with LGBTIQ+ stakeholders.

This study forms part of Javier Quirós Gómez’s PhD research at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, supervised by Rachel Palmén. His work explores LGTBIQ+ inclusion policies in Catalan universities and their impact, with a focus on visibility, well-being, and representation of sexual and gender diversity within university contexts.

Read the research in open-access in the Sexuality Research and Social Policy journal.

Reference:

Quiros Gomez, J. [Javier], & Palmen, R. [Rachel]. (2026). LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Policies in Higher Education and Research: A Critical Scoping Review. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-026-01322-9 – OPEN ACCESS

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