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Research/Studies

Explore LGBTQ+ related research participation opportunities. All studies posted here are IRB-Approved.

If your research involves the LGBTQ+ Community, you can send it our way. 

We are proud to share research opportunities that further the understanding of topics related to LGBTQ+ Identities, and that could improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in higher education. We are excited to feature your work, further academic study, and support student success!

At WVU

No research at WVU has made its way to us yet. Submit yours to lgbtq@mai.wvu.edu

Outside Research

Research opportunities from organizations outside Of West Virginia University. 

Chronic Illness, Queerness, and Hostile Online Environments

This study Overseen by UCONN’s School of Social Work seeks to understand how hostile online behavior is experienced by young adult social media users who identify as LGBTQ+ with a disability and/or chronic condition. The findings from this study to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ disabled/chronically ill young adults.

Eligible participants will participate in a 90-minute focus group about their lived experiences on social media or in online spaces. 

The Impact of work-related sexual orientation and gender identity-based harassment on LGBTQ+ staff in higher education

This study seeks to:

  1. Elevate the voices of LGBTQ+ staff,
  1. Contribute to the limited research on LGBTQ+ staff within higher education, and
  1. Inform best practices for creating more inclusive workplace climates.

Eligibility: Participants must:

  • Identify as LGBTQ+,
  • Be a full-time professional staff member at a 4-year public college or university,
  • Have worked in the same position for at least one year,
  • Be open about their LGBTQ+ identity in the workplace, and
  • Have experienced sexual orientation or gender identity-based harassment in the workplace at least six months ago.

If you meet these criteria and are interested in participating, please complete the Participant Interest Form



Exploring the Online Dating Experiences of Fat Gay Men

Are you a fat, gay man living in Appalachia who uses mobile dating apps like Grindr, Scruff, Growlr, or Jack’d? This study explores how people like you experience online dating, navigate body image, and interpret desirability in digital spaces.


Eligibility Criteria:

  •  Must be 18 years or older, 

  • Identify as a gay man (cisgender or transgender), 

  • Self-identify as fat, 

  • Live in Appalachia, 

  • Have experience using mobile dating apps, and 

  • Have access to internet or phone


The Impact of Work-Related Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity-Based Harassment on Queer Staff

This study seeks to:

  1. Elevate the voices of LGBTQ+ staff,

  1. Contribute to the limited research on LGBTQ+ staff within higher education, and

  1. Inform best practices for creating more inclusive workplace climates.

Eligibility: Participants must:

  • Identify as LGBTQ+,

  • Be a full-time professional staff member at a 4-year public college or university,

  • Have worked in the same position for at least one year,

  • Be open about their LGBTQ+ identity in the workplace, and

  • Have experienced sexual orientation or gender identity-based harassment in the workplace at least six months ago.


Health Experiences of Transgender Individuals 

A researcher at Oberlin College (AY24-25-RT-01) is interested in understanding the healthcare and social media experiences of transgender young adults. To participate, participants must reside within the United States, identify as transgender, and be 18-35 years of age. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey is entirely anonymous and does not include compensation. If you’d like to participate, you can do so by following the appropriate link below.

For participants between the ages of 18-35.

End date in 2026, but not set yet. 

Young Adults, Chronic Pain, and the Healthcare System

Dissertation study to learn about the experiences young adults (ages 18-24) living with chronic pain have in the healthcare system.



Therapy in Hostile Climates - Recruitment

Drs. Bekah Estevez, Jae Puckett, and Sebastian Barr are conducting a research study to learn about the stress and impacts of anti-trans legislation and politics within therapy, and how therapists should address it. 


You can nominate a therapist for this study.If  you have any relevant questions, reach out to Dr. Bekah Estevez at restevez@georgia.southerin.edu


Alcohol and Stress Couples Study - PAID

A team from Virginia Tech is offering up to $120.00 to multigender-attracted (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, demisexual, etc.) adults and their romantic partners for completing a survey designed to examine how stress linked to individuals' intersecting identities (e.g., discrimination, harassment, biphobia, stereotypes about multigender-attracted individuals) impact adults' relationships, how partners support each other during these moments of stress, and other health outcomes.