Improving Policy, Practice and Understanding of Trans Identity, Intersex Characteristics, and Sexuality in Religious and Healthcare Organisations
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Research at the University of Exeter has shown that improved training on variant sex, gender, and faith can improve trans people’s wellbeing.
Research at the University of Exeter has shown that improved training on variant sex, gender, and faith can improve trans people’s wellbeing.
Between 2013 and 2019, referrals to NHS gender clinics increased by 240% - vastly increasing waiting times, during which the risk of self-harm and suicide is known to increase.
Professor Susannah Cornwall’s research on spiritual care for people undergoing transition, and on LGBTQI+-inclusive theologies, has shown that improvements to training for both faith leaders and gender medicine specialists have the potential to improve health and wellbeing for trans people.
Her role in the Theology Thematic Working Group for the Church of England bishops’ Episcopal Teaching Document on Human Sexuality, ‘Living in Love and Faith,’ has informed the Church of England, which is in a discernment process about gender and sexuality during 2022.
Professor Cornwall’s work is also cited by the Methodist Church Marriage and Relationships Task Group 2019 in its call for the Methodist Conference to enable same-sex couples to marry in Methodist churches. Focusing on healthcare organisations, Professor Cornwall has continually highlighted the importance of spiritual care in gender clinics, including in ethics training for nurses, psychotherapists, psychologists, and speech therapists caring for trans people at the West of England NHS Specialist Gender Identity Clinic.
In her partnership with the West of England NHS Specialist Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) on the Modelling Transgender Spiritual Care project, Professor Cornwall devised a new framework for spiritual care provision. Her work is being cited in professional meetings about transgender health.
She has also contributed to the curriculum for Royal College of Physicians’ qualifications in Gender Identity Healthcare, which has led to improved professional development training for gender medicine specialists with a specific acknowledgement of religion and spiritual care.
Professor Susannah Cornwall’s research has led to changes to healthcare and church policy and practice which has the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of people who identify as trans or intersex as waiting times for transition services increase.
Meet our researchers
Professor Susannah Cornwall
Professor of Constructive Theologies
Overview:
Susannah's research focuses on Christian constructive theologies. Much of my work has been in contextual theologies, particularly those relating to sex, gender and sexuality. I also have interests in critical disability studies, homelessness, contextual Bible study, postcolonial and decolonial theologies, queer theologies, and theologies of art.
