Past Speakers

Dr. Candice D. Roberts
Keynote Speaker
Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the LGBTQ Center at St. John's University, United States
Speech Title
Global Ideas and Local Insights: Transdisciplinary Methods for LGBTQ+ Studies
Dr. Candice D. Roberts, PhD is Associate Professor of Communication and the Director for the LGBTQ+ Center at St. John’s University in New York. While completing their doctoral research at Drexel University, they developed the concept of the hybrid collective and studied CouchSurfing across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Broadly their work examines cultural narrative and identity in popular media and consumer culture, and they use critical queer theory to interrogate archetypes, sociality, and themes of class, sexuality, and space/place. They currently serve as LGBTQ Studies Area Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Popular Culture Association and as Television Area Chair for the Popular Culture Association. Recent publications include articles in Screen Bodies, Journalism Practice, Journal for Cultural Research and in Film, Fashion & Consumption as well as an edited volume entitled Consumer Identities: Agency, Media and Digital Culture.
Dr. Jay Barry Ng
Dr. Jay Barry Ng is an Assistant Lecturer at Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. He holds a Doctoral degree in Hotel and Tourism Management, along with two Master’s degree in Counselling and Operations and Supply Chain Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Logistics. During his doctoral studies, he was awarded the Padma and Hari Harilela Scholarship for his outstanding research. Barry is dedicated to advancing knowledge in this area through his research and ongoing exploration of LGBTQ+-related topics.
Dr. Matthys Johannes Uys
Dr. Matthys Johannes Uys is an English for Education lecturer and B.Ed. Programme Coordinator at the North-West University in South Africa. He enrolled for B.Ed. in 2014, joined the Golden Key International Honours Society in 2016, graduated (cum laude) in 2017, obtained B.Ed.Hons. (cum laude) in 2018, was awarded the Faculty Prestige Bursary in 2019, and obtained his M.Ed. in 2020. At the end of 2022, he submitted his PhD thesis – Inclusion of queer literature in a School for Language Education at a university: A framework – and graduated in 2023. He teaches B.Ed. and B.Ed.Hons. modules and supervises post-graduate students in action learning. He is a young upcoming researcher in transformative teaching and learning regarding queer literature.
Assistant Professor Charu Kriti
Assistant Professor Charu Kriti is currently employed as Assistant Professor of Psychology at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru, India. She has done both her post graduation and graduation from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. She has an additional LL.B degree from Campus Law Center, University of Delhi. Her areas of interest are interdisciplinary investigations like gender and crime, crime and the collective unconscious and social perceptions of gender. Her area of expertise includes Forensic Psychology, Research Methodology, Statistics in psychology, Psychoanalysis and Social psychology.
Dr. Shelton K. Johnson
Dr. Shelton K. Johnson serves as an Assistant Professor of Black Studies and is also part of the Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Educational Studies and Leadership at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He earned his undergraduate degree from Alabama State University, followed by a master’s degree from Faulkner University, and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Alabama. As a Black scholar-activist, he adopts a robust interdisciplinary, comparative, and transnational lens in his exploration of cultural production and expression, historical research, and the analysis of social, cultural, and structural dynamics. His academic work is anchored in the examination of structural power, intersectionality, social responsibility, and the interplay of race, gender, sexuality, law, diversity, geography, identity formation, anti-racist pedagogy, and narrative inquiry. Furthermore, he actively engages with critical frameworks that address urban contexts and the transformative potential of both formal and informal education within diverse, often inequitable sociocultural, racial, linguistic, political, and economic landscapes. Moreover, he is dedicated to educational equity, anti-racism, culturally sustaining practices, the advancement of social justice, and the cultivation of culturally diverse intellectual communities.
Prof. Dr. Stephanie E. Yuhl
Prof. Dr. Stephanie E. Yuhl is the W. Arthur Garrity, Sr. Professor in Human Nature, Ethics and Society and Professor of History at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA), and former Associate Faculty in the Critical Conservation program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She specializes in the social and cultural history of the twentieth- century United States, with emphases in public history, memory, gender/sexuality, Southern history, and social movements. Yuhl is the author of the award-winning book A Golden Haze of Memory:The Making of Historic Charleston as well as multiple articles, book chapters and Digital Humanities projects. She is a practicing public historian who has most recently served as the project lead and co-curator for the major exhibition and archive-building initiative, Worcester LGBTQ+ History Project (funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation) at Worcester Historical Museum, Yuhl is co-author of LGBTQ+ Worcester: For The Record and directs the ongoing LGBTQ+ Worcester Oral History Project.
Mr. Mark Dushimirimana
Mr. Mark Dushimirimana is a Bachelor's degree in Law candidate 2024 from the University of Rwanda/Law School. Currently, he is a Junior Associate and Professional Intern at Acalex Firm Ltd, a law firm based in Kigali, Rwanda. Mark is passionate about becoming an advocate. He was recognized as the Head of the Legal Research Department in 2022 and served as Moot Court Director in 2023 at the University of Rwanda Law School
Mr. Joseph Black
Mr. Joseph Black is a researcher with advanced studies in law, international affairs, and gender studies. His work focuses on queer studies, the rights of sexual minorities, and US-China relations, among other topics. Joseph has contributed to various international human rights initiatives, including trans rights in Southeast Asia and advocacy for Rohingya refugees.
Mr. Imtyaz Ahmad
Mr. Imtyaz Ahmad is a Ph.D. scholar in Political Science at Hazara University, Pakistan, and a research assistant at Fordham University's GSSS, NYC. As Research Director at CBO SEEK, he focuses on the rights of transgender persons in KP. His work explores the experiences of marginalized communities, especially Khwaja Sira, with an emphasis on Sufi traditions, gender-based and police violence, stigma, and intersectionality. A recipient of the Best Poster Presentation Award at the International Conference on Gender Research, Portugal, he’s currently developing a holistic program and ethnographic documentary on Khwaja Sira empowerment in Pakistan.
Mr. Tony Cohn
Mr. Tony Cohn is a student of social innovation at the University of Cambridge, where his research focuses on overcoming internalized homophobia and shaping authentic leadership among gay men in the United States. Professionally, he has spearheaded transformative impact for organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Department of State, Morgridge Family Foundation, and Common Group, driving innovation and building stronger, more inclusive communities. His work has been recognized by Forbes and The Washington Post, and he has presented on leadership and inclusion at conferences worldwide. Tony is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
Ms. Aiyesha Swarnn
Ms. Aiyesha Swarnn is currently studying for her MA in Global Public Policy at the University of Birmingham, after graduating with a first-class bachelor's degree in History and International Relations. As a Social Justice Research Fellow at Access Academia, Aiyesha’s research focuses on policy responses and evidence-based policymaking towards gender-based violence experienced by marginalised communities, with a particular focus on honour-based abuse. Aiyesha is passionate about bringing marginalised groups to decision-making processes and discussions that have a social and environmental impact.
Ms. Kay Harrison
Ms. Kay Harrison (she/her) is a writer of features, fiction, branding and digital content, with degrees in creative and professional writing. Her work has been published in ACP magazines, Overland, Brittle Star, Star Observer, Seizure, and other publications, and has won several awards. She has been selected for the QWC/Hachette Australia Manuscript Development Program, a Varuna Fellowship, and shortlisted for the Richell Prize, among others. She is a creative PhD candidate at UNSW. Her project looks at the queer body in the Aussie burbs in four critically underread novels(dissertation) and through a novel set over the Rudd/Gillard years (creative practice).
Dr. Claire Brown
Department of Education, Teacher Training and Social Work at Teesside University
Speech Title
Practising Beyond the Binary: Spotlighting the Specific Detriment Faced by Non-Binary People?
Dr Claire Brown is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in the Department of Education, Teacher Training and Social Work at Teesside University. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, External Examiner, PhD supervisor, and Research Champion. Claire sits on the Editorial Board for two journals, chairs the TU Social Work Research Network, vice chairs a Gender Focus Group, and is a member of the TU Research and Innovation and Ethics Subcommittees, JUSWEC Research Subcommittee and several international EDI inclusion groups/committees. Claire’s recent research explores the experiences of marginalized groups and examines the role of personal tutoring in the degree awarding gap for ethnic minority students. She evaluates innovative social work practice and employs feminist methodologies, with a focus on empowering co-produced research.
Prof. Dr. Candice D. Roberts
Prof. Dr. Candice D. Roberts is Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the LGBTQ Center at St. John's University. They hold a PhD in Communication, Culture & Media from Drexel University. Broadly, their work examines cultural narrative and identity in popular media, and they are particularly interested in archetypes, consumer behavior, and sociality around themes of class, sexuality and space/place.
Dr. Ly Quyet Tien
Dr. Ly Quyet Tien is a Lecturer and Researcher at Eastern International University (Binh Duong), Doctor Ly Quyet Tien has been a guest lecturer at many universities in Vietnam. He holds a bachelor's degree in History & English from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. He also holds M.A. degrees in FLE from the University of Rouen, and in Vietnam History from the Southern Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCMC. In 2008, he received his Ph.D. in Oriental Studies and Humanities from the University of Paris 7- Diderot. A specialist in Vietnamese studies, he has participated as a presenter at international conferences since 2014. His research interests focus on LGBTQIA+, music, culture, and international relations.
Mr. Rounik Raj Aryal
Mr. Rounik Raj Aryal, a lawyer based in Kathmandu, is a graduate of National Law College, Tribhuvan University. His legal practice focuses on human rights law, notably advocating for the rights of the LGBT+ community. His exceptional dedication and advocacy have earned him prestigious recognition, including the esteemed National Youth Talent Award, 2017 (Vision Award), presented by the President of Nepal. Rounik's commitment to the cause is further highlighted through his contributions as a distinguished speaker at the International Conference on LGBT Studies, where he shares his expertise and impassioned insights.
Mr. Shahanur Islam
Mr. Shahanur Islam is a prominent Bangladeshi human rights defender, lawyer, and blogger currently residing in Paris, France, in exile. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Rajshahi. He is a Laureate of the 2023 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders, launched by the President of the Republic of France, as well as a recipient of the JusticeMakers Fellowship in 2010, awarded by the International Bridge to Justice (IBJ) in Switzerland. Mr. Islam defends the rights of ethnic, religious, social, and sexual minorities, as well as victims of torture, extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and organized violence. He is the Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Ms. Kaori Arita
Ms. Kaori Arita has specialised in human resources for over 20 years.She is a certified industrial counsellor and provide employee mental health support for international companies. She hold an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University.