From master’s project to continued research: My ethics got approved!

I am thrilled to share that my next research project, titled Cis Paralysis and the Power of Unlearning: Rethinking Gender in Education, has officially received ethics approval from the academyEX Research, Enterprise and Ethics Working Group. This marks the next step in continuing the work I started during my Master of Change and Organisational Resilience.

This project builds upon my earlier focus on how educators can develop more gender-inclusive mental models. This time, I am going deeper, exploring how cisnormativity shows up in education and how reflective and relational tools, such as the UNLEARN podcast, might support educators in unlearning limiting assumptions and engaging more meaningfully with gender diversity.

Why does this next step matter?

During my masters, I heard from many educators who wanted to support rainbow students but felt paralysed by fear of getting it wrong. This hesitation, which I refer to as cis-paralysis, is worth investigating. My goal is to better understand these stuck points and co-design tools that support courageous unlearning, critical reflection, and practical change in classrooms and leadership.

I am especially excited to build on existing relationships and share some of the findings at upcoming conferences. This phase of the work remains grounded in the same values, relational ethics, and the belief that real change is possible when we listen, reflect, and act together.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this work so far. Ngā mihi nui!

This site will be gradually updated to reflect my new work-based research project, 'Cis-Paralysis and the Power of Unlearning: Rethinking Gender in Education.' First though, a short break. I'm taking a bit of time to rest, reflect, and debrief before diving into this next stage. Stay tuned for updates soon.






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