Graduate Student, Department of Sociology
PhD Candidate
School of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Thesis Title: Migrating desires, queering spaces: An ethnography on queer migrants
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Dr Barbara Bradby
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About
Ruth has been involved as a LGBTIQ activist for the past 8 years. Hir activist / human rights work started with the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), where s/he is a member of the Executive Committee. Ruth was Secretary General (Executive Board) of IGLYO – the International LGBTQ Youth Organisation - between 2003 and 2005. Since 2006, Ruth served as a member of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe as well as one of the two European Representatives on the ILGA World Executive Board.
Ruth worked primarily in NGO organisational development and strategic planning, and previously worked in direct service provision with separating couples/families through the Family Mediation Service (Ireland). Currently Ruth is Senior Executive at the Foundation for Educational Services (Ministry of Education, Malta) and is responsible for before and after-school programmes and provision of non-formal education programmes
Ruth has facilitated workshops on gender, sexuality and human rights and queer history.
Working thesis title is: “Migrating desires, queering spaces: An ethnography on queer migrants”.
"My research looks at the lives of queer migrants. It is a multilayered exploration and analysis of my personal experiences as a queer activist, migrant and researcher. This research also aims to promote an understanding of the experiences, challenges and shift practices around such phenomena as non-heteronormative sexualities and migration. The main areas I am engaging with in this research are queer migrant narratives, queer theory and feminist theory. Through auto-/ethnographic accounts I am exploring ways in which memory orientates/disorientates, defines/redefines migration, in particular how this shapes and positions queer migrants’ lives."
Training
Ruth holds an M.A. in Women’s Studies from University College Dublin where s/he focused hir research on the socio-historical aspects of queer desire in relation to a group/network of women-loving-women in early 20th century Ireland.
S/he also holds a B.A. (Hons) in Sociology from University of Malta, with a minor in Communication Studies.
Research Interests
Ruth's theoretical and research interests include queer studies, feminist theories, sexuality, trans/gender theory, queer desire and history, and international queer activism.
