NU Initiatives
Gender Queer, Non-Binary, Transgender Task Force
The Gender Queer, Non-Binary, Transgender (GQNBT) Task Force is a newly established university-wide task force which will explore how Northwestern can better support the success of gender-queer, non-binary and transgender (GQNBT) students, faculty, and staff.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Division of Student Affairs, and Office of Human Resources, the 2018-19 objectives of this group are stated below:
- to identify key challenges faced by gender-queer, non-binary, transgender and transitioning individuals at Northwestern
- to review existing data and information available about the gender-queer, non-binary and transgender population and their needs
- to submit a report at the end of the year on findings and recommendations to better support the success of gender-queer, non-binary and transgender individuals.
For more information about the Task Force, please visit their website.
The Sexualities Project at Northwestern (SPAN)
The Sexualities Project at Northwestern (SPAN) was created in 2010 following the establishment of a new endowment at Northwestern intended to support research and education on “life sciences, biomedical sciences and social sciences as those fields relate to the study of human sexual orientation and human sexuality.” Working together with a diverse group of Northwestern faculty members, co-directors Héctor Carrillo and Steven Epstein proposed a new initiative, which was funded by the Provost for an initial period of three years (2010-13), was then renewed for an additional five years (2014-2018), and has recently been renewed for three more years (2019-2021). Currently, SPAN is co-directed by Prof. Héctor Carrillo (Sociology and Gender & Sexuality Studies), and Prof. Gregory Ward (Linguistics, Philosophy, and Gender & Sexuality Studies).
Learn more about SPAN and join their mailing list for weekly update!
The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGHM)
The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) was founded in 2015 and is the first university-wide institute in the country focused exclusively on research to improve the health of the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community. As a university-wide institute, ISGMH's mission is to connect scholars from numerous disciplines with the SGM community to forge collaborations and stimulate innovative research to improve SGM health and wellbeing. The institute provides unique opportunities for high-level research and training for the next generation of SGM scholars. The institute utilizes innovative modalities to disseminate knowledge widely to the SGM community, the public at large, scholars, service providers, educators, and policymakers.
Learn more about ISGHM and their upcoming events!
Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS)
The Gender & Sexuality Studies Program at Northwestern is a dynamic interdisciplinary program that draws upon faculty and courses from more than twenty departments across several schools.
GSS is home to:
- an undergraduate major and minor
- a graduate certificate and cluster in Gender & Sexuality Studies
- the Sexuality Project at Northwestern (SPAN) and
- a lively annual series of speakers, events, and reading groups that are open to all campus and community members