Traditionally, kinship has been understood variously as blood relations and lineage, but also as a kind of affinity, that might arise through shared origins or characteristics. There is no single model for how kinship may be experienced; however there is a dominant, heteronormative template for ‘family’ structures, that reinforces heterosexual reproductive relationships as the bedrock of society. For some people, this model feels restrictive. In the field of Queer Studies, debates have evolved in recent decades about affective bonds and familial dynamics that go beyond or creatively redefine heteronormative models. This includes relationships that disrupt the ‘norm’ and offer alternative ‘chosen families’. However in many contexts there is still a great deal of socio-cultural and sometimes legal discrimination against this more pluralistic approach to kinship.

I am currently Co-Director – with Dr Silvia Antosa (Siena) and Dr Paolo Frascà (Toronto) – of an interdisciplinary project that explores both historical and contemporary expressions of queer kinship: the Queer Kinship Network. We examine past and present social developments, the impact of political debates and legal frameworks, and cultural representation. By fostering critical debate and interdisciplinary exchange, the project seeks to develop a deeper awareness of diverse configurations of queer bonds and families within a plural, multicultural, and inclusive framework. To date, we have organised two international conferences, launched a blog on our project website and regularly host online seminars on our YouTube channel. In 2025, we organised a conference, hosted by Christ Church, that was attended by around 75 people: academics, authors and artists. The conference included more that 40 academic papers, two presentations open to the public, by author Selby Wynn Schwartz and photographer Del LaGrace Volcano, and contributions by academic and theatre director Hannah Phillips (Mobilise Arts). It was an exciting, inspiring and often moving event, featuring some extremely innovative work by early career researchers as well as ambitious transnational projects.

Our project brings together researchers to share work-in-progress and to develop theoretical and methodological frameworks, but also makes space to reflect on how we can engage with wider communities. For example Hannah Phillips is a theatre maker whose ‘practice as research’ queer theatre-making involves communities in a co-created, polyphonic dialogue. Involving local communities in our activities, for example by inviting input into our research design, and encouraging engagement beyond the academic community, enriches our activities. The conference will lead to academic publications as well as further events, such as our regular seminars. Our next conference will take place in Toronto, in October 2026.