Classroom Psychology

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I am a transgender woman, an Educational Psychologist, and a scientist published many times over in the field of gender diversity thanks almost entirely to some truly outstanding trainees and colleagues. On Classroom Psychology we take the questions asked by public figures, even those posed as confident declarations, and we look to the scientific literature to find answers. Join me, and together we'll create a society where everyone can find a place to belong.

Cora Sargeant


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 43 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Classroom Psychology

    Episode 43: Social Media

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 64:29


    '...children experienced gender dysphoria after binge watching trans content on social media' Trans folk use social media like everyone else, but the effects are not quite the same. What happens when the models of what is possible in transition are somewhat idealised online? We take a look together, it's Classroom Psychology!!!References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 42: The Supreme Court and passing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 57:01


    This week Cora takes on the EHRC, the Government, and the Supreme Court. What is 'passing' and why shouldn't passing be the benchmark for entry to appropriate spaces it is fast becoming? Bring your hot chocolate and pull up a chair, we'll get into it together. It's Classroom Psychology!References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 41: Gender diversity, neurodivergence, and intersectionality with Dr Abby Vines

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 49:51


    'They're attributing their experiences to gender when they're actually better understood as an autistic trait' What are experiences of young people at the intersection of gender diversity and neurodivergence, and what are the intersectional experiences of young people with multiple marginalised identities? We take a look together with the indefatigable Dr Abby Vines.

    Episode 40: Transgender folk in prison

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 48:03


    Where should we house transgender prisoners and what are their experiences? This is a difficult episode with a huge content warning, we are going to talk about sexual assault, about violence, about self harm and suicidality. There are lots of things we can do to better support our gender diverse prison population, so let's review them.References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 39: Internalised Stigma

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 54:10


    'Tr***y tr***y tra**y, I don't care, you want pe****s in women's bathrooms' We ponder stigmatising language and what happens when people begin to internalise stigma. It's a wild world out there but thankfully we're not alone. It's Classroom Psychology!!!References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 38: Trans Q&A, talking puberty blockers, hospital rooms, religion, and bodily autonomy.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 53:35


    Researchers from California got in touch to ask a series of fascinating questions, so I thought we'd try something a little different, as we get into sommething a little more personal, and a little cozier. It's Classroom Psychology!

    Episode 37: Transgender brains

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 60:28


    '...to say therefore I am a woman is just a betrayal of language' We tackle the question of gendered brain development and wonder what kind of brains transgender folk have. This field is beyond Cora's skills to understand... and it shows. But we're in this together, it's Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 36: Puberty blockers and IQ

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 68:01


    There are a handful of studies that look at the relationship between GnRHa and cognitive development, in terms of IQ and executive functioning. We find that these studies, as weak as they are, are alarming but that the model of care your country endorses creates very different implications for these findings. Let's get into it together in Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 35: A holiday message from Cora

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 13:09


    The holiday season can be really challenging for gender diverse folk, and this year, given the year it has been, it's particularly difficult. So Cora offers a little holiday message for her gender diverse kin out there, and we look forward to next year together, and remember that we are working together to create a world where everyone, everyone, can find a place to belong.

    Episode 34: Who are trans and non-binary people?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 46:01


    'The gender craziness is most common in wealthy, White, progressives' We take a look at big representative research around the world to wonder about the demographics of trans and non-binary people. I was surprised to learn that the community does not reflect the population in some important ways. Let's dive in together in Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 33: Talking Masculinity with Dr Ffion Davies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 61:04


    'If I was wearing a wig and lipstick would I have been banned from schools...?' There are some forms of masculinity that can be a positive force for good in the world, and some that might be less so. Thankfully we have Dr Ffion Davies to help us to understand the difference in Classroom Psychology,

    Episode 32: A Trans Healthcare Deep Dive

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 67:56


    'It makes no sense to give people permanent solutions to a temporary problem' Do trans people who receive transition related healthcare continue to receive that healthcare 5 years later. We look at two recent studies, using different methods, with remarkably different findings. We do a deep dive into both in Classroom Psychology!

    Episode 31: Gender Identity with Dr Ellie Fisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 65:12


    'Teaching this religion as if it is fact' Is gender identity a real thing? What do measures of gender identity tell us about how it develops and changes over time? We're so fortunate to have Dr Ellie Fisher help us to answer this one; let's get into a cozy conversation together in Classroom Psychology!!! Dr Fisher's paper we talk about: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38712516/

    Episode 30: Cyberbullying

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 54:29


    'You can be sued for cyberbullying for speaking the actual truth' We take a look at the Paris Olympics, at cyberbullying. and Cora gets... uh... upset. But it'll be ok because we're a community here at Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 29: Building consensus with Dr Antreas Anthimou

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 52:44


    'So I vowed to destroy the woke mind virus' When the language around gender diversity is so provocative is it possible for us to come together and find consensus? Thankfully we have Dr Antreas Anthimou to help, as we start a new chapter of Classroom Psychology.

    Episode 28: Workplace Discrimination

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 55:29


    'Lazy, entitled, and difficult to work with' What are the consequences of workplace discrimination for gender diverse folk and can we create workplaces where people can be their authentic selves and, if we do, what happens to the wellbeing of employees? Let's take a look, it's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 27: The Cass Review Part 3 (the last one, I promise)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 47:28


    'Schools have been feeding students into this medical experiment' The Cass Review is rather conservative about social transition in part because of a misinterpretation of a key study. Let's dive into this thing one. more. time. together, it's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 26: The Cass Review Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 59:32


    'Puberty blockers are beneficial... but the quality of these studies is poor.' Dr Cass is wrong, and this misinterpretation has profound implications for the review and our interpretation of it. How is Dr Cass wrong? I'll put the kettle on! This is Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 25: The Cass Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 53:36


    The Cass Review was informed by systematic reviews that excluded the low quality evidence from synthesis. Is this a reasonable decision and what do the excluded studies tell us about psychological functioning after gender affirming hormones? Let's take a look in Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 24: Language and Definitions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 51:47


    'Gender identity is the new religion they preach' You ever wondered how we might inclusively think of gender, what gender identity is, and what is means to be gender diverse? Definitions and language are hard, but we can find it tricky together in Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 23: Eating Disorders

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 64:16


    Gender diverse folk are at an increased risk of developing disordered patterns of eating and methods of weight control. There are discrete reasons for gender diverse folk being more likely to engage in these kinds of behaviours and understanding these reasons can open up new ways to help. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 22: Social Transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 50:10


    Gendere diverse folk can change the gender they perform to themselves and to the world, a shift in expression known as social transition. While affirmative care might support mental health, does social transition have similar effects? Let's find out together in Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 21: Autogynephilia

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 50:10


    Are trans folk so sexy that they can't resist transition? Autogynephilia is the theory that transgender folk invert the object of their sexual attraction inward, becoming that which they most admire... but does the theory have any merit? References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 20: Media Representation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 52:06


    Is representation a good thing? Is it possible that representation might influence attitudes towards marginalised communities and maybe, might better representation even improve viewing stats of shows and movies? We take a look together in Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 19: Gender Euphoria

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 38:38


    While there might be a focus on dysphoria and distress for gender diverse communities there is also an experience they know better than most, one of gender euphoria. We take a look at the positive end of gender diversity and ponder the question of what it is like to experience gender euphoria. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 18: The Speed of Transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 44:47


    Transition is sometimes seen as hasty, maybe hurried, but the research about the experiences of children and young people show transition to be anything but. Let's take a look together. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 17: Harrassment, Bullying, Victimisation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 42:58


    When schools are more welcoming more gender diverse folks can live openly, but if schools aren't able to tackle the bullying and victimisation that goes on within, does this create a risk for those being authentically themselves therein. We take a look at harassment, bullying, and victimisation. Content warning: We talk about sexual harassment, bullying, and suicidality. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 16: Classroom Psychology Live in Glasgow

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 43:11


    Classroom Psychology is going on tour, coming to you live from around the UK. This episode the University of Glasgow LGBTQ+ Psychology Network kindly permitted us to record the session, so here is Classroom Psychology Live!

    Episode 15: Public Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 47:53


    When politicians debate the existence of gender diverse communities that sets a problematic context for gender diverse folk to exist within. We take a look at how exclusionary discourse and policies can create problems for gender diverse folk and how inclusive policies and discourse can create a world where everyone can find a place to belong. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 14: Misgendering and deadnaming

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 37:52


    It can be hard to remember to use someone's name or pronouns but what if we misgender or deadname someone for philosophical, religious, or stigatising reasons, what might the effects be? And by using a chosen name and the correct pronouns can we create a world in which we can all find a world to belong? References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 13: Athletic advantage

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 50:43


    Do transgender women retain an athletic advantage over their cisgender counterparts following transition and, maybe, does it matter? If the competetive line we draw is always arbitrary, maybe the question here is about the level of arbitrariness we're willing to accept. So... where do we draw the line? References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 12: Conversion Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 39:11


    Why do we not 'treat' gender dysphoria as a 'mental health condition' and support people to change their gender identities to alleviate their suffering? We take a look at gender change efforts and the often severe consequences they yield for those subject to them. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 11: Gender Diversity and Colonialism

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 53:01


    It is often claimed that gender is only male and female, that this is a Universal truth. But that is a particular view of gender we have advanced around the world through colonialism; if it appears to be the truth that is only because we have oppressed alternative understandings so heavily. We take a look at pre-colonial cultural practices around the world to understand what gender diverse folk might share in their experience, and then we wonder how colonialism has marginalised and oppressed these identities and cultural practices, often directly through specific colonial law making. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 10: Gender Diversity and Neurodiversity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 46:41


    Is there a link between neurodiversity and gender diversity and if there is, what might explain that link? We take a look at this intersection and ponder whether neurodiverse communities might show some resistance to the gender norms to which we are all often pressured to conform. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 9: Informing Parents

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2023 31:24


    Should schools automatically tell parents whenever a child or young person starts to question their gender? We take a look at how young people understand and communicate their experiences to loved ones. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 8: Transgender folk and violent crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 41:45


    'A grown man - a trans woman - entering a grown woman's space... is obviously wrong' This week we take a look at the question of whether transgender women put people at risk either by being a risk directly or by inclusive policies weakening the protection of single sex spaces. There's a content warning today: we talk about violent crime and sexual assault a lot this episode. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 7: Detransition, 'desistance', regret.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 40:44


    This week our question is about whether children and young people experiencing gender dysphoria might experience that dysphoria to spontaneously resolve if they were left to grow without transition related support and services. We take a look at the early studies in the 80s, another wave in the early 2000s, and finally we take a look to the modern literature to find an answer together. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 6: Gender Affirmative Practice

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 39:40


    Some commentators highlight the complete lack of evidence of the outcomes of gender affirmative care, particularly long-term, so we take to the literature to find out what the science knows about the long-term outcomes from the various aspects of gender affirmative care. Turns out there is lots of evidence...who knew? References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 5: Transition in childhood

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 34:12


    This week our question is about social transition in childhood and whether transition is the result of stronger cross-gender identification or whether it might contribute to stronger cross-gender identification. We take a look together at the work of amazing scientists like Selin Gülgöz and Kristina Olson and Cora turns her fangirling up to maximum. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 4: 'Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 36:12


    This week we try to understand the apparent rise in adolescent non-binary and trans masc folks assigned female at birth referred to gender identity develpopment services across the western world. We look to the frequently proferred explanation of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria and see what the science has to say. As always, we describe all of our question askers with the greatest of generosity and aim to answer their questions fully, but I wouldn't recomment Abigail Shrier's book; if you're looking to read an engaging tome on the subject I can recommend Shon Faye's The Trans-gender Issue, I read it from cover to cover. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 3: Gender 'indoctrination'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 36:48


    Describing the limitations of the Equality Act (2010) then Attorney General Suella Braverman described schools as risking 'indoctrination' of children to a particular model of gender. We consider this for the question it represents and wonder about the scientific origins of the idea that we can teach children gender 'wrong' and whether the trans community indeed represents evidence of the same. If not, then maybe teaching children about gender might give gender diverse folks a language to describe their experience, recognise it as one shared by others, and lay the foundations for us all to find a place to belong. Interested to follow up on any ideas? The references can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

    Episode 2: The Binary Model of Gender

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 28:47


    In answer to a question about 'what constitutes a woman' Kier Starmer recently said 'let me start by saying the blindingly obvious, 99.9 something percent of women it's all biological'. We take a look at the model of gender Kier's statement endorses and consider the implications; we think about different models of gender, talk aboout the language of gender and, of course, ponder how we can best endorse a model of gender in which everyone to find a place to belong.

    Episode 1: A Place Where Everyone Can Belong

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 14:15


    Welcome to Classroom Psychology, where we talk about the science of gender diversity; join me and together we'll build a society where everyone can find a place to belong.

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