Dr Surya Monro

Surya Monro gained her PhD from the University of Sheffield in 2000 and joined the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield in 2009. She has previously worked at a range of Universities including Cambridge, Sheffield, Leeds and Keele. Her extensive research experience has been primarily focused around the areas of gender, sexuality, citizenship and democracy. She has conducted research in India and South Africa as well as the UK, and has contributed number of invited presentations at national and international workshops and conferences. Her first sole authored book, ‘Gender Politics: Activism, Citizenship and Sexual Diversity’, was published in 2005 by Pluto Press. $#8216;Sexuality, Diversity and Equality’ (with Professor Diane Richardson) came out in March 2012 and Dr Monro’s sole-authored monograph about bisexual identities will be forthcoming with Palgrave MacMillan in 2014 or 2015. Dr Monro has contributed to a range of public debates, and has been interviewed on Radio 4 three times, most recently by Woman’s Hour in April 2012.

Dr Monro contributes to the development of the research portfolio of the Centre for Research in the Social Sciences. She is currently conducting the research for the Bisexual Identities project. She teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and contributes to research governance. Dr Monro is the Deputy REF Coordinator.

Dr Monro was a co-applicant on a large ESRC project about LGBT Equality in Local Government, which addressed the themes of organisational change, resistance and democracy via the prism of sexualities equalities work in local government. This project has led to a large number of outputs and has informed the development of the new project about bisexual identities. There is a lack of social science-informed analysis of bisexuality, and this cross-cultural project will lay the foundations for a contemporary bisexuality studies.

Current Research Interests

• Bisexuality and social theory
• Sexuality in the global context
• LGBT Equalities
• Citizenship and social inclusion

Referee of Research Bids

• ESRC bids refereed anonymously, December 2011 and February 2013

Recent Research Grants and Contracts

• ESRC: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities: Surviving Austerity Workshop (ESCR Festival of the Social Sciences) - £1,860.
• University of Huddersfield: PI: LGBT Equalities in an International Context: Workshops in South Africa in 2013 - £1,500.
• Local Government Yorkshire and Humber (2009-) PI: Evaluation of Community Cohesion Strategies in Kirklees and Bradford (Regional Improvement and Effectiveness Pilot); Oct-March qualitative evaluation with strategic leaders, front-line workers and community members – £19,800.
• ESRC (2007-2010) Co-I with Professor Diane Richardson as PI, Organisational Change, Resistance and Democracy: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Initiatives in Local Government - £230,767.

Article

Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2013) ‘Public Duty and Private Prejudice: Sexualities, Equalities and Local Government’ Sociological Review , 61 (1), pp. 131-152. ISSN 0038-0261

Barker, M., Richards, C., Jones, R. and Monro, S. (2011) ‘BiReCon: An International Academic Conference on Bisexuality Including the Program for BiReCon’ Journal of Bisexuality , 11 (2-3), pp. 157-170. ISSN 1529-9716

Monro, S (2010) ‘Sexuality, Space and Intersectionality: The Case of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Equalities Initiatives in UK Local Government’ Sociology , 44 (5), pp. 996-1010. ISSN 0038-0385

Mackay, F., Monro, S. and Waylen, G. (2009) ‘The Feminist Potential of Sociological Institutionalism’ Politics & Gender , 5 (2), pp. 253-262. ISSN 1743-923X

Monro, S (2007) ‘Transmuting Gender Binaries: the Theoretical Challenge’ Sociological research online , 17 (1). ISSN 1360-7804

Monro, S (2007) ‘New Institutionalism and Sexuality at Work in Local Government’ Gender, Work & Organization , 14 (1), pp. 1-19. ISSN 0968-6673

Monro, S (2006) ‘Evaluating local government equalities work: The case of sexualities initiatives in the UK’ Local Government Studies , 32 (1), pp. 19-39. ISSN 0300-3930

Buss, D., Fletcher, R., Monk, D., Monro, S. and Phillips, O. (2005) ‘Introduction to 'Sexual Movements and Gendered Boundaries: Legal Negotiations of the Global and the Local'’ Social & Legal Studies , 14 (1), pp. 5-15. ISSN 0964-6639

Monro, S (2005) ‘Beyond Male and Female: Poststructuralism and the Spectrum of Gender’ International Journal of Transgenderism , 8 (1), pp. 3-22. ISSN 1553-2739

Monro, S. and Warren, L. (2004) ‘Transgendering Citizenship’ Sexualities , 7 (3), pp. 345-362. ISSN 1363-4607

Carabine, J. and Monro, S. (2004) ‘Lesbian and Gay Politics and Participation in New Labour's Britain’ Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society , 11 (2), pp. 312-327. ISSN 1072-4745

Monro, S (2003) ‘Transgender Politics in the UK’ Critical Social Policy , 23 (4), pp. 433-452. ISSN 0261-0183

Cooper, D. and Monro, S. (2003) ‘Governing from the margins: queering the state of local government?’ Contemporary Politics , 9 (3), pp. 229-255. ISSN 1356-9775

Monro, S (2002) ‘Transgender Trouble: Legislation Beyond Binaries?’ Res Publica , 8 (3), pp. 275-283. ISSN 1356-4765

Monro, S (2000) ‘Theorizing transgender diversity: towards a social model of health’ Sexual and Relationship Therapy , 15 (1), pp. 33-45. ISSN 1468-1994

Book

Monro, S. and Richardson, D. (2012) Sexuality, Equality and Diversity . : Palgrave Macmillan . ISBN 9780230275577

Monro, S (2005) Gender politics: Activism, citizenship and sexual diversity . London: Pluto Press . ISBN 9780745319698

Craig, G., Taylor, M., Wilkinson, M., Bloor, K., Monro, S. and Syed, A. (2002) Contract or trust? The role of compacts in local governance . Bristol: Policy Press . ISBN 9781861343796

Book Section

Monro, S. and Richardson, D. (2013) ‘Crossroads or Categories? Intersectionality theory and the case of lesbian, gay, and bisexual equalities initiatives in UK local government’. In: Situating Intersectionality. : Palgrave Macmillan. . ISBN 9781137025111

Monro, S (2011) ‘Thinking beyond Gender Binaries’. In: Trans in the Twenty First Century: Concerning Gender Diversity. : Beaumont Trust. pp. 36-53. ISBN 9780952135777

Monro, S (2010) ‘Introducing Transgender Citizenship’. In: The Limits of Gendered Citizenship. : Routledge. pp. 123-136. ISBN 9780415887069

Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2010) ‘Intersectionality and Sexuality: The Case of Sexuality and Transgender Equalities Work in UK Local Government’. In: Theorizing Intersectionality and Sexuality . : Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 99-118. ISBN 9780230229303

Monro, S (2010) ‘Towards a Sociology of Gender Diversity: The Indian and UK Cases’. In: Transgender Identities: Towards a Social Analysis of Gender Diversity. : Routledge. . ISBN 9780415999304

Monro, S (2007) ‘Transgender: Destabilising Feminism?’. In: Sexuality and the Law: feminist engagements. : Routledge-Cavendish. pp. 125-149. ISBN 9781904385660

Monro, S (2006) ‘Growing Up Transgender: Stories of an Excluded Population’. In: A new youth?. Aldershot: Ashgate. pp. 298-320. ISBN 9780754644224

Monro, S (2001) ‘Gender Love and Gender Freedom ’. In: Unseen Genders: beyond the binaries. : Peter Lang. pp. 241-249. ISBN 9780820450247

Conference Item

Monro, S (2013) ‘Theorising Gender Diversity: Current trans, future directions ’. In: ‘Trans’ as Everyday Culture: Social networks, social movements, everyday lives and everyday repertoires, 23rd May 2013, Warwick, UK

Monro, S (2013) ‘Bisexuality: Activism, citizenship and queerness’. In: 3rd European Conference on Politics and Gender (ECPG), 21st - 23rd March 2013, Barcelona, Spain

Monro, S (2013) ‘Categories and their Discontents: The trials and tribulations of using the terms ‘LGBT’ and ‘MSM/WSW’’. In: Categories and their Discontents: The trials and tribulations of using the terms ‘LGBT’ and ‘MSM/WSW’ HSRC Seminar Series, 20th February 2013, Pretoria, South Africa

Monro, S (2013) ‘Overcoming barriers: strategies for supporting LGBTQI human rights across the South African and UK contexts’. In: Overcoming barriers: strategies for supporting LGBTQI human rights across the South African and UK contexts, 21st February 2013, Pretoria, South Africa

Monro, S (2012) ‘‘It was so brilliant’: Bisexual people’s wellbeing and the importance of the organised bisexual community’. In: BiReCon 2012: Bisexuality and Mental Health, 9th August 2012, Bradford University

Monro, S (2012) ‘LGBT Equalities’. In: Wolverhampton & The Black Country LGBT Pride, 29th July 2012, Wolverhampton, UK

Monro, S (2012) ‘Sexuality, Space and Intersectionality: The case of LGB Equalities in UK Local Government’. In: 5th International conference on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 23rd - 25th July 2012, Toulouse, France

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2011) ‘Identity complexity, Intersectionality and Sexuality: A headache for policy makers? ’. In: Understanding the Social World Conference 2011, 13th - 15th July 2011, University of Huddersfield

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2011) ‘Identity Complexity, Intersectionality and Sexuality: A Headache for Policy Makers?’. In: Understanding the Social World Conference 2011, 13th - 15th July 2011, Huddersfield, UK

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2011) ‘Faith-Sexuality Intersections and the Rhetorics of Tolerance: The case of LGBT equalities initiatives in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland’. In: Rhetorics of Moderation: politics, religion and the market: ESRC seminar series - Rhetorics of Moderation: politics and pragmatics’, 29th June - 1st July 2011, University of Huddersfield

Richardson, D., McNulty, A. and Monro, S. (2011) ‘Public Duty and Private Prejudice’. In: Annual Association of American Geographers Conference 2011, 12th - 16th April 2011, Seattle, Washington, USA

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2011) ‘Intersectionality and Sexuality: The case of sexuality and transgender equalities work in UK local government’. In: Pacific Sociological Association Annual Meeting, 10th - 13th March 2011, Seattle, Washington, USA

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2011) ‘Organisational Change, Resistance and Democracy: LGBT Equalities Initiatives in Local Government’. In: University of Huddersfield Research Festival, 28th March - 2nd April 2011, University of Huddersfield

Monro, S (2010) ‘Challenges for Anti-Homophobia Policies’. In: European Rainbow Cities: Conferencia Internacional sobre políticas locales contra la homofobia, 14-15 October 2010, Barcelona

Monro, S (2010) ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equalities in the UK: The Noughties’. In: Transforming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Lives: Activism and Research for Gender and Sexual Liberation Conference 2010, 15th September 2010, Brighton, UK

Monro, S (2010) ‘‘The only lesbian in the authority’: The role of LGBT champions in local authority equalities work in the UK’. In: Personal and Public Lives: Exploring Relationships, Roles, and Responsibilities: An international and interdisciplinary conference, 7th - 9th September 2010, University of Huddersfield, UK

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2010) ‘Where are all the bisexuals? Bisexuality and local government equalities work in the UK’. In: 2nd BiReCon conference 2010, 26th August 2010, London, UK

Richardson, D., McNulty, A. and Monro, S. (2010) ‘In the Name of Equality? The Limits to Sexual Citizenship’. In: Beyond Citizenship: Feminism and the Transformation of Belonging , 30th June - 2nd July 2010, London, UK

Monro, S., McNulty, A. and Richardson, D. (2010) ‘Organisational Change, Resistance, and Democracy: Findings from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities in Local Government project’. In: Gender, Work and Organisation Conference, 21st - 23rd June 2010, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2010) ‘‘You could see people squirming in their seats’: Sexuality and its Discontents in UK Local Authorities’. In: BSA Annual Conference 2010 - Inequalities & Social Justice, 7th - 9th April 2010, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

Richardson, D., McNulty, A. and Monro, S. (2010) ‘LGBT Equalities Work in Local Government: Changes and Challenges ’. In: Broadening Horizons: Sexuality, Equality and Diversity, 11th March 2010, Newcastle University, UK

Monro, S., Richardson, D. and McNulty, A. (2010) ‘Space and Sexuality in intersection: the Case of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Equalities Initiatives in UK Local Government’. In: Shifting Agendas: Political Studies Association (UK) Women and Politics International conference, 19th February 2010, Manchester, UK

Monro, S (2009) ‘Trans and Bisexuality: Developing Social Models of Health’. In: 2009 LGBT Health Summit, 6th - 7th October 2009, Gateshead, UK

Richardson, D., Monro, S. and McNulty, A. (2009) ‘In the Name of Equality: Sexuality and Social Change’. In: 9th Conference of the European Sociological Association: European Society or European Societies?, 2nd - 5th September 2009, Lisbon, Portugal

McNulty, A., Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2009) ‘Head above the Parapet: Organisational Resistance and Sexualities Equalities Work in the UK’. In: 9th Conference of the European Sociological Association: European Society or European Societies?, 2nd - 5th September 2009, Lisbon, Portugal

Monro, S (2009) ‘Gender/sexual diversity and the conundrum of categorisation’. In: Untying Development’s Straightjacket: Masculinities, Sexualities and Social Change , 18th - 22nd September 2009, Cape Town, South Africa

McNulty, A., Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2009) ‘Mind the Gap: putting sexualities equalities policy into practice in local government settings ’. In: Social Policy Association Conference: Policy Futures - Learning from the Past?, 29th June - 1st July 2009, Edinburgh, UK

Monro, S. and Richardson, D. (2009) ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Initiatives: The Case of UK Local Government’. In: 9th International Conference on Diversity in Organisations Communities and Nations, 16th - 19th June 2009, Riga, Latvia

Monro, S (2009) ‘The Pitfalls of Box-ticking: Intersectionality and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equalities work in the UK ’. In: Centre for Research into Diversity in the Professions Seminar Series, 22nd April 2009, Leeds Metropolitan University

Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2009) ‘Rethinking Sexual Citizenship: Sexuality, Equality and Local Governance’. In: BSA Annual Conference 2009 - The Challenge of Global Social Inquiry, 16th - 18th April 2009, Cardiff, UK

Richardson, D., Monro, S., McNulty, A. and Tatah, S. (2009) ‘Sexuality, equality and local governance’. In: Every LGBT Youth Matters Conference, 24th April 2009, London, UK

Richardson, D., Fay, M. and Monro, S. (2008) ‘‘Normal gays, good citizens?’ Exploring the Everyday Practices of LGBT Equalities Work in Local Government ’. In: 4th Centre for Research in Socio-Cultural Change Annual Conference 2008, 3rd - 5th September 2008, Oxford, UK

Monro, S (2008) ‘Symbolising the Rainbow: Glimpses of the South African Parliament’. In: Eighth Workshop of Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians, 26th - 27th July 2008, Wroxton College, Wroxton, UK

Monro, S (2008) ‘Symbolising the rainbow: Glimpses of South African parliament’. In: Gendered Ritual and Ceremony in Parliament Workshop 2008, 12th June 2008, London, UK

Fay, M., Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2008) ‘'As long as it's fair': LGBT equalities, democracy and local governance’. In: Flexible Bodies, Transgressive Genders workshop, 3rd - 4th April 2008, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany

Richardson, D., Fay, M. and Monro, S. (2008) ‘Naturalising Difference; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Initiatives in Local Government’. In: BSA Annual Conference 2008 - Social Worlds, Natural Worlds, 28th - 30th March 2008, University of Warwick, UK

Monro, S (2008) ‘Engaging Complexities: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Initiatives and Local Democracy in the UK’. In: Seminar, AHRC Research Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality, 27th February 2008, University of Kent, UK

Monro, S (2008) ‘Practices of Power: Governmentality and the UK SM Scene’. In: Research Workshop on Gender and Sexualities, 6th February 2008, Manchester, UK

Monro, S (2008) ‘Organisational Change, Resistance and Democracy: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equalities Initiatives in Local Government’. In: Bi ReCon 2008, 28th August 2008, University of Leicester, UK

Monro, S (2007) ‘Practices of Power: Governmentality and the UK SM Scene’. In: Gender Unbound, 9th - 11th July 2007, Keele University, UK

Monro, S (2007) ‘Beyond the Binaries: Theorising Gender Diversity ’. In: Transgender / Intersex & Law Workshop: An Agenda for Future Research, 17th - 18th April 2007, Keele University, UK

Monro, S (2006) ‘Reconceptualising Gender: The Challenge for Managerialism’. In: IFSAM VIIIth World Congress 2006, 28th - 30th September 2006, Berlin, Germany

Monro, S (2006) ‘Sexualities Equalities and the New Managerialism: Local Government in the UK’. In: European Academy of Management Conference 2006, 17th - 20th May 2006, Oslo, Norway

Monro, S (2006) ‘Ordering sexuality: new institutionalism and equalities work in local government’. In: British Sociological Association Annual Conference, 21st - 23rd April 2006, Harrogate, UK

Monro, S (2005) ‘Fragmented genders: Theoretical explorations and practical implications’. In: British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2005, 21st - 23rd March 2005, York, UK

Monro, S (2004) ‘Theorising Trans/Gender Politics ’. In: GENDYS Conference 2004, 6th - 8th September 2004, Manchester, UK

Monro, S (2004) ‘Theorising gender diversity’. In: Sixth International Congress on Sex and Gender Diversity: Reflecting Genders, 10th - 12th September 2004, Manchester, UK

Monro, S (2002) ‘Gender Diversity and Gender Politics ’. In: GENDYS Conference 2002, 30th August - 1st September 2002, Manchester, UK

Monograph

Monro, S., Razaq, U., Thomas, P. and Mycock, A. (2010) Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (RIEP) Community Cohesion and Prevent Pilot. A report prepared for: Local Government Yorkshire & Humber Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield

McNulty, A., Richardson, D. and Monro, S. (2010) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Equalities and Local Governance Research report for practitioners and policy makers ESRC

Monro, S (2009) The Situation concerning Homophobia and Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation in England and Wales European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

Monro, S (2008) Formative evaluation of community strategies: Process Evaluation of Plan Rationalisation 2004?2007 Leeds: Communities and Local Government Publications

Monro, S (2008) Formative evaluation of community strategies Equalities and Community Strategies: Research Report Communities and Local Government Publications

Darlow, A., Hawtin, M., Jassi, S., Monro, S., Percy-Smith, J. and Purcell, M. (2008) Formative Evaluation of Community Strategies 2004–2007 Final Report Communities and Local Government Publications

Hawtin, M., Monro, S. and Madden, A. (2007) Role of Colleges in Community Cohesion: Rapid Review of Evidence Learning and Skills Council

Nunn, A., Johnson, S., Monro, S., Bickerstaffe, T. and Kelsey, S. (2007) Factors influencing social mobility Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Monro, S., Purcell, M., Darlow, A., Hawtin, M., Jassi, S. and Stevens, A. (2007) Process Evaluation of Plan Rationalisation; Formative evaluation of Community Strategies Interim case studies synthesis report Communities and Local Government Publications

• Member of the British Sociological Association.
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
• On the Advisory panel for the LIVEDIFFERENCE EU funded research programme based at the University of Leeds (PI Professor Gill Valentine).
• Advisor for 2BU multi-platform production company 2bu.co.uk
• Organisor of the Understanding the Social World international conference, University of Huddersfield July 2011.
• Invited to facilitate a workshop at the Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, titled ‘Overcoming Barriers: Strategies for supporting LGBTQI human rights across South African and UK contexts’ (February 2012).
• Range of internal collaborations for example with Professor Jim McAuley, Dr Andy Mycock and Dr Paul Thomas regarding theYouth Citizenship conference, funded as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science (November 2012).
• Regularly reviews papers, books and book proposals for a range of publishers and journals.
• Interviewed for Radio Four Woman’s Hour in 2006, Radio Four’s ‘Getting Bi’ programme (September 2012) and Woman’s Hour again in April 2012. Contributes to local media debates including on Radio Leeds and The Pulse (2011-12) and Radio Manchester (2009).
• Provides Keynotes for conferences including: Against Homophobia, European Local Administration Devices (AHEAD) project conference (Barcelona 2010); Transforming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Lives: Activism and Research for Gender and Sexual Liberation conference (Brighton, September 2010) and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Summit (Newcastle upon Tyne, October 2009).
• External PhD examiner for the University of New South Wales (2010).
• Reviewed a EUROCORES Theme proposal for European Science Foundation in 2009.
• Advisory panel member for an ESRC project titled ‘Gender Diversity, Recognition and Citizenship’ (PI Sally Hines, University of Leeds, 2008-2010).
• Advisory panel member on a research project funded by the ESF, titled ‘Tackling “multiple discrimination” and social exclusion at work: lesbian, gay and bisexual workers – and examination of the intersection between gender, race, age, disability and sexual orientation’ (2005-6).
• Visiting Research Fellow, University of Newcastle UK, 2007-2010.
• Visiting Research Fellow, University of Cape Town, 2008.
• On the Editorial Review Board of Equal Opportunities International (2008-2010).
• Special edition of Social and Legal Studies; Member of editorial board (2002-2004).
• Co-organisor of the Gender, Sexuality and the Law International Conference (Keele University, 2002).

Completions

• Marcus Lumb: Critical Realist approaches to masculinity. Marcus Lumb has received the Vice Chancellor's Award for an Outstanding Doctoral thesis.
• Emma Turley, A phenomenological exploration of BDSM

Current

• Sarah Daly: Women, Monogamy and Bisexuality
• Vicky Byrne: Learning Difficulties and citizenship

I welcome applications for research supervision in the following areas:

• Identities
• Social inequalities
• Sexuality and gender
• Citizenship
• Governance and democracy

Dr Monro provides consultancy, including:

• Ethics and Integrity ESRC funded project about public perceptions of MPs (University of Essex, 2010).
• Production of research review about homophobia for the Danish Consultancy within Engineering, Environmental Science and Economics (COWI) (2008).

Dr Monro contributes to research governance via her role as Deputy REF coordinator, and sits on the School Board/

Dr Monro provides supervision for Sociology and Joint Honours Final Year Undergraduate Projects, MA students and PhD students.