The Queering Education Research Institute© (QuERI)

About > Mission

Mission

The mission of the Queering Education Research Institute (QuERI) is to bridge the gap between research and practice, and policy to support the creation of LGBTQ youth-affirming schools through applying sociological approaches to understanding education and educational environments.

About

The Queering Education Research Institute© (QuERI) is an independent think-tank, qualitative research, training, and policy center. The prime purpose of QuERI is to bridge the gap between research and practice in the teaching of LGBTQ students and the creation of LGBTQ youth-affirming schools. QuERI began in 2006 with the Reduction of Stigma in Schools© (RSIS) Program, a research-based professional development program for educators. It expanded in 2009 to comprehensively address LGBTQ issues in Education. QuERI was housed in the Syracuse University School of Education from 2006 to 2014. QuERI relocated to Hunter College, City University of New York, between 2014 and 2018. It was founded by Dr. Elizabethe Payne and has been staffed by a teams of dedicated undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Melissa Smith, is a former graduate student research fellow.

QuERI strives to foster change for LGBTQ youth through:

  • Conducting qualitative research exploring the education experiences of LGBTQ youth, LGBTQ families, their teachers, and other school personnel.
  • Working with state and federal departments of education in support of education law and policy that supports LGBTQ students and families.
  • Developing research-based professional development opportunities to support educators in the creation of affirming learning environments for LGBTQ students in schools.
  • Educating future school professionals on the school experiences of LGBTQ students and providing opportunities for reflection and tools for inclusive teaching.
  • Evaluating school policy and policy implementation at the state, district and school levels in support of LGBTQ students and proposing new policy and implementation practices to improve school climate for LGBTQ youth.
  • Utilizing research to generate new and creative approaches to engaging students, teachers, school personnel and community in working to improve the school experiences of LGBTQ youth and the children of LGBTQ families.
  • Generating and disseminating research on the LGBTQ youth experience and on models for creating change in the institutions that serve them through publication, conference presentation, and workshop delivery.
  • Providing opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage with LGBTQ young people, and to research, teach, and make change in the area of queering education.
  • Working with LGBTQA students in local schools to support their participation in creating positive change for LGBTQ students and families in their schools.
  • Utilizing QuERI generated research to further develop and refine Institute programming.
  • Challenging the dominant bullying discourse.