Research at Gender Plus
Why Research Matters
When it comes to healthcare research, the experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals have long been chronically underrepresented. Where research has existed, it hasn't always reflected the day to day realities of their lived experiences.
At Gender Plus, we believe that closing this research gap is a crucial part of providing outstanding care. Research helps us understand what's working well, where insights may be lacking, and how care for this patient cohort can keep improving - not just within Gender Plus, but across the wider healthcare system.
This page is where we share that work: what we're doing, what we're learning, and what others in the field are finding too.
Our Research
We carry out and commission research that we believe contributes meaningfully to healthcare for trans+ people - and we're committed to making that work visible.
Find out more about the research our team has undertaken here.
Reviewing the evidence behind the NHS decision on gender-affirming hormones for under-18s
When NHS England made the decision to pause new prescriptions of gender-affirming hormones to those under 18, we commissioned an independent review of the evidence used to inform that decision.
You can read our thinking behind why we felt this was important in our blog post here - where you can also access the full independent review by epidemiologist, Dr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz.
We believe scrutiny like this matters. Decisions that affect the lives of trans+ people - whatever their age - should be grounded in evidence that stands up to scrutiny. Where it doesn't, that needs to be stated clearly and publicly.
More of our published and ongoing research will be added here as it becomes available.
Research We Recommend
Despite claims that research on the benefits of gender affirming healthcare is lacking, there are plenty of studies that support positive intervention.
Here, we'll share work from researchers, clinicians, and organisations whose findings we think are worth knowing about.
🔗 Cass Review does not guide care for trans young people – Moore et al.
We will keep this page updated as we become aware of robust research in this space. In the meantime, if there's additional research you think belongs here, let us know in the contact section at the bottom of this page.
Why We Ask You to Complete Questionnaires
If you're a patient at Gender Plus, you may have been asked to fill in questionnaires at different points during your time with us. These cover topics such as mental health, wellbeing, and life satisfaction.
These questionnaires help us understand, over time, how care at Gender Plus affects the people who use our services. That understanding enables us to improve the care we provide - not just for you, but for all of our patients.
At the start of each questionnaire pack, you'll be asked whether you're happy for your responses to be used in research. Taking part is entirely your choice. You can say no, and it won't affect your care in any way.
We also run an anonymous feedback form for everyone completing a gender assessment or attending a hormone clinic review. Every quarter, the research team reviews these responses and shares key themes with the wider team. This directly shapes how the service develops.
We know that sharing personal experiences takes trust, particularly for a community that hasn't always been treated well by research. We don't take that for granted. Everything we do follows strict ethical standards and adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018). If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.
Meet the Research Team
Our research team brings together clinical expertise, academic research experience, and a shared commitment to improving gender affirming healthcare.
Dr. Moja Kljakovic
Senior Clinician and Research Lead Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, PhD in bullying research. Interests include mental health across the lifespan, neurodiversity, and gender diversity. Moja leads all research activity at Gender Plus, from outcome monitoring to publication and external collaboration.
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Laura Johnson
Research and Admin Assistant Interests include minority stress theory, lesbian erasure, and how stereotypes influence attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
she/hershe/herShirley Chu
Research Assistant with areas of interest including autism and gender diversity, barriers to gender-affirming care, and eating and body image in trans and non-binary populations.
she/herOmrinder Kaur
Honorary Research Assistant Currently completing a BSc in Psychology specialising in cognitive and clinical neuroscience, on placement at Gender Plus. Interests include identity development, cognitive bias, stigma, and brain plasticity.
Get involved…
Patients and service users - Your experiences shape our research priorities. Members of our team regularly attend our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group to allow them to hear directly from the community - if you would like to get involved please visit our Feedback page.
Researchers and clinicians - We welcome collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and organisations working in trans and non-binary health and care. Get in touch.