Introducing Dr Nelson Muparamoto
The Re-imagining Reproduction project has five postdoctoral research fellows working in various African countries. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing these incredible researchers to our community. We asked each of our fellows nine questions to get to know them better.
Please tell us who you are, what your area of interest/expertise is, and where in the world you work.
I am a diversity and social inclusion advocate and analyst. My work revolves around the quest for social inclusion and justice in marginalised communities in Zimbabwe. I enjoy working and researching gender and sexuality diversity. My current research interest centres on queering reproduction in the search for reproductive justice and choices.
What/who inspired your current research field?
My passion for this field was ignited by the attempted erasure of gender and sexuality diverse persons in the Zimbabwean citizenry through the politicisation of ‘homosexuality’. I am inspired by the works of Marc Epprecht a pioneer researcher on sexual diversity in Zimbabwe.
Who are your research/practitioner partners?
- Re-imaging Reproduction Project Team
- Prof Kaare Moen – University of Oslo
- HEARD – University of Kwazulu-Natal
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV AIDS Research – CeSHHAR- Zimbabwe
- Wits Centre for Diversity Studies
What projects have you been working on recently?
The two major projects I am working on are the Socio-economic Empowerment and Inclusion Project among LGBTIQ+ persons in Zimbabwe and an intersectional stigma reduction model among young key populations who are on ART.
What about your work challenges you, and which parts make you smile?
I find the systematic marginalisation and trivialisation of critical diversity studies in the Zimbabwean academy challenging. But on the other hand, the validation and appreciation of my scholarship by the ‘queer’ community in Zimbabwe and the ability to Influence a new crop of researchers on queer issues in Zimbabwe are very exciting.
What three positive things have you achieved in the last year?
- Publications in competitive publication outlets
- Solid grounding within queer studies
- Securing mentorship and mentoring other upcoming scholars
What advice can you give to people aspiring to work in your field?
Do not be discouraged by the lack of overt support for your scholarship. Find supportive institutions and networks.
What impact would you like your work to have?
Inform conversations of inclusion of gender and sexuality diverse persons among policymakers and influence the growth of queer scholarship in Zimbabwe.
If you had the opportunity to change anything in your field: what would it be, how would you change it, and why?
Increase funding and mentorship opportunities by establishing networks in countries where queer scholarship is marginalised.