Queer Officer

Portfolio

The Queer Officer liaises with relevant groups and individuals to identify issues and opportunities pertaining to LGBTIQA+ graduate students, and ensures the interests of this cohort are represented at the MGAEC and within the broader university.

Click here for the Queer Officer’s full position description.

Background

Hi, my name is Phil. I’m a queer man and my pronouns are he/ they (and various iterations). I’m a HDR student within the Faculty of Education and my research is investigating the lived-experiences of queer students and faculty in Australian post-secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

I began my undergraduate studies at Monash in Biomedical Science after which I worked as a microbiologist for some years. But wanting to share my passion for STEM with others soon led me to become a science teacher. I completed a Graduate Diploma in Education and taught science to students from Foundation to Year 12. From there I completed a Masters in Education at The University of Melbourne focusing on diversity, inclusion and social justice within education. Now I’m a PhD student interested in affirming queer identities in STEM through personal narrative and experience. In doing so I hope to encourage love and compassion and for people to live as their true authentic selves.

Being part of the MGA executive committee as Queer Officer I hope to foster this same passion for diversity and inclusion with the graduate student and wider Monash community.

Personal Interests

I love travelling abroad and experiencing new cultures (particularly the food). I also enjoy music, socialising and dancing with friends, keeping fit, coffee and hanging out with my dog and cat.