Gender identity and healing through research
When Chloe Seongeun Kim arrived from South Korea in 2022 to begin her MA in sociology, she found a campus where learning, self-reflection and community could thrive. “The faculty has been incredibly supportive, and the classes I’ve taken have been very eye-opening,” she says. Courses in feminist theory and intersectionality offered more than insight—they created healing spaces where students could talk openly about identity, emotion and lived experience.
“The faculty has been incredibly supportive, and the classes I’ve taken have been very eye-opening.”
Chloe Seongeun Kim
— MA in sociology
Chloe’s research focuses on the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse individuals in Ottawa. As a trans woman herself, the project was both academic and deeply personal. Her thesis began with a personal question: How do we know what our gender identity is?Through in-depth interviews, she uncovered how identity is shaped by desire—the desire to be seen, named and affirmed. “Our identity isn’t static. It’s a collection of these things we want to do, to become or to embody. And we only discover those desires by experimenting and seeing what feels right,” she says.
Chloe’s work lives at that intersection of inquiry and action. “Research should serve the people it represents,” she says. “Denying trans and nonbinary youth the opportunity to explore their identities causes real harm.”
Chloe also worked as a harm reduction worker and volunteered at a long-standing LGBTQ+ centre, work that reflected her belief that research should serve the communities it represents.
For Chloe, the highlight of her uOttawa experience was the personal journey of writing her thesis. “It wasn’t just about research, it was a process of understanding myself, of asking who I am and who I want to become,” she says.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue in this field, whether through social work or research grounded in lived experience.
Media stigma, sex work and campus connection
Tyler Escott, a 2025 MA graduate now pursuing a PhD in feminist and gender studies, focused his thesis on how sex work is portrayed in the media. His research shows that stigma increases when sex workers are depicted solely as victims. In contrast, when their voices and agency are highlighted, the narrative shifts toward recognition, dignity and respect. “When the narrative of victimization was removed, this stigma was spoken to directly and their labour was positioned as simply another form of labour,” he says.
Outside his research, Tyler made a point of participating in campus life. “Some of my favourite memories during my studies have been guest speakers, book launches and student-run events,” he says. “I would also recommend trying to attend some of the events at the University of Ottawa whenever possible.”
“Some of my favourite memories during my studies have been guest speakers, book launches and student-run events.”
Tyler Escott
— MA in sociology
Community was a vital part of his experience. “Over the course of my master’s, I’ve met some wonderful people and built friendships that are sure to last long beyond my time at the University of Ottawa,” he says. “Having that sense of community helps relieve some of the stress that comes with university.”
A highlight of Tyler’s time at uOttawa was visiting the Archives and Special Collections at the library, particularly the Women’s Archives. “That space gave me an opportunity to connect with feminist history in a tangible, powerful way,” he says.
As he receives his MA at the 2025 convocation, Tyler has already started a PhD in feminist and gender studies at uOttawa, with plans to continue in academia through research and teaching.
Words of advice for new students
For Chloe and Tyler, their time at the University of Ottawa has been a chance to ask hard questions, connect with others and bring fresh perspectives to current issues. Their journeys show that research can be authentic, grounded and closely connected to the communities and causes that matter most.
To future students, they offer this shared advice: trust your perspective, follow your questions, take part in campus life and let your work reflect who you are—and what you stand for. In doing so, you’ll learn and grow in ways that stay with you.