Welcome

Welcome to this blog. As the headline suggests I am doing a research degree in public policy and I’m currently doing my dissertation research.

The dissertation topic is relatively simple. Do gay men’s life experiences affect their behaviours? For example, are people who enter into a civil partnership less likely to undertake risky sexual behaviours; and if so, should full marriage be an policy priority for the government? Are people whose families accept their sexual orientation less likely to behave in risky ways? And if so, does promoting acceptance and equality for gay people pay for itself by reducing the burden on public services?

I am a student at Birkbeck College, part of the University of London, and an employee of the NHS which is part-funding my studies. I chose the topic entirely independently and it relates, if anything, toward my own sexual orientation and my curiosity about similar people, rather than my employment.

As part of my degree I have been encouraged to keep a reflexive journal, in order to help me think about what the experiences I will have doing my research, and direct my own reading and learning in a coherent way.

Your role? Well, I’m putting all this online as I thought it might be interesting. Perhaps… But more importantly whenever I’ve undertaken any kind of major project or research  the views, ideas, concerns and feedback of other people – who are by and large more intelligent and clearer thinkers than me – have always been especially helpful.

In short, I’ll be thinking out loud. If you hear anything worth replying to, by all means do.