Help Violet's PhD Study and Her Transition
Donation protected
My Backstory
I'm a 24 year old trans woman, who's recently been accepted onto my dream PhD program at Cardiff University. I'll be working in the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, studying the politics of queer representation in television, a cause which is extremely close to my heart. I initially applied for scholarships to help with the funding, however, I was turned down, and being from a working class background hoping to carry out niche research, these would have been essential. Therefore, I'm raising money to cover the tuition fees for my first year of study (£4500), with the plan that my only costs will be living/accommodation, which I can cover through student finance. Assisting with these fees will also allow me to pursue the private option with my medical transition, as I currently face a crushing three year waiting period for a consultation appointment.
Why This Matters
The competition for scholarships is incredibly high, and I knew that pursuing LGBTQIA+ research would limit my options when it came to funding. But the importance of researching these topics, and being put in a position in which I can continue to educate myself and carry out meaningful research, can create a wider impact outside of academia. So much of what we understand as a society regarding LGBTQIA+ identities, politics and experiences comes from television, and a critical analysis of this, which can better the representations that we receive can be of great help. I want to carry out the type of research and help cultivate the types of representations that I would have needed and loved as a closeted trans child, and the project I'm going to carry out is something that I hope will help other young LGBTQIA+ individuals. This isn't simply a degree or an academic career to me, it's the encapsulation of everything I've worked towards and hope to achieve as a young, transgender woman.
How Can You Help?
Any and all donations will go towards covering the cost of one years worth of tuition fees, so my priorities can be on covering living costs and additional expenses associated with PhD study (research, conference attendance and any purchases). This would cover a large part of what a scholarship would offer, as most cover tuition fees.
By helping to cover these costs, you'll also be giving me the freedom to explore the option of going private with my medical transition. Waiting for a first appointment currently takes three years, and while I was referred in November, I am yet to hear anything from the clinic past being told that my referral is being considered. This is crushing my mental health on a daily basis, and it's something I can no longer cope with. Therefore, receiving help with tuition costs allows me to directly put money aside in order to transition privately, instead of waiting three years for an appointment. For me, being able to transition privately would be both life changing, and life saving medical treatment.
I've worked unbelievably hard to get onto this PhD, and throughout my previous time at university, and I'm in no position to do what other students are able to and simply rely on existing and family funds. It would mean the absolute world to me if you could help me achieve my goals and attend Cardiff University, with these tuition fees covered. If you can help me in any way - through a large or small donation, sharing this on social media and with friends and family, any and all help makes a huge difference.
Thank you! x
I'm a 24 year old trans woman, who's recently been accepted onto my dream PhD program at Cardiff University. I'll be working in the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, studying the politics of queer representation in television, a cause which is extremely close to my heart. I initially applied for scholarships to help with the funding, however, I was turned down, and being from a working class background hoping to carry out niche research, these would have been essential. Therefore, I'm raising money to cover the tuition fees for my first year of study (£4500), with the plan that my only costs will be living/accommodation, which I can cover through student finance. Assisting with these fees will also allow me to pursue the private option with my medical transition, as I currently face a crushing three year waiting period for a consultation appointment.
Why This Matters
The competition for scholarships is incredibly high, and I knew that pursuing LGBTQIA+ research would limit my options when it came to funding. But the importance of researching these topics, and being put in a position in which I can continue to educate myself and carry out meaningful research, can create a wider impact outside of academia. So much of what we understand as a society regarding LGBTQIA+ identities, politics and experiences comes from television, and a critical analysis of this, which can better the representations that we receive can be of great help. I want to carry out the type of research and help cultivate the types of representations that I would have needed and loved as a closeted trans child, and the project I'm going to carry out is something that I hope will help other young LGBTQIA+ individuals. This isn't simply a degree or an academic career to me, it's the encapsulation of everything I've worked towards and hope to achieve as a young, transgender woman.
How Can You Help?
Any and all donations will go towards covering the cost of one years worth of tuition fees, so my priorities can be on covering living costs and additional expenses associated with PhD study (research, conference attendance and any purchases). This would cover a large part of what a scholarship would offer, as most cover tuition fees.
By helping to cover these costs, you'll also be giving me the freedom to explore the option of going private with my medical transition. Waiting for a first appointment currently takes three years, and while I was referred in November, I am yet to hear anything from the clinic past being told that my referral is being considered. This is crushing my mental health on a daily basis, and it's something I can no longer cope with. Therefore, receiving help with tuition costs allows me to directly put money aside in order to transition privately, instead of waiting three years for an appointment. For me, being able to transition privately would be both life changing, and life saving medical treatment.
I've worked unbelievably hard to get onto this PhD, and throughout my previous time at university, and I'm in no position to do what other students are able to and simply rely on existing and family funds. It would mean the absolute world to me if you could help me achieve my goals and attend Cardiff University, with these tuition fees covered. If you can help me in any way - through a large or small donation, sharing this on social media and with friends and family, any and all help makes a huge difference.
Thank you! x
Organizer
Violet Olivia
Organizer
Wales