Each ESR underwent an intensive training program, with over 70 workshops provided, covering research methods, specialist training from stakeholder organizations, and academic lectures. ESRs completed PhD training activities at their host institutions, and a variety of secondments took place at NGOs, QUANGOs, universities, and other sites. The training was successfully adapted to the challenges such as COVID-19 and the war on Ukraine.
The ESRs made very good progress with their projects, including research design, implementation and analysis. Individual and group outputs relating to the work packages were completed. A wide range of research methods were used, including action research, critical narrative analysis, and a survey. Two ebooks, 14 papers in peer reviewed journals, four project reports, a range of ebriefs, and other outputs such as videos, book chapters and a working paper were produced. ESRs presented widely at academic and stakeholder conferences and other events. Extensive engagement with public and stakeholder fora has taken place, with over 100 events to date.
The INIA programme has made strong contributions to knowledge. At a macro level it has demonstrated the extent of erasure of IVSC people’s lives, at the level of language, cultural representation, social policy, welfare provision, and medical intervention. This indicates the need for social reform to support the inclusion and rights of this population. The project provided novel insights into activism and specific areas of knowledge such as subjectivities and research ethics. At the micro level, the INIA programme has demonstrated the difficulties, richness and complexity of intersex people’s experiences across the life course. It has also revealed the challenges with providing appropriate healthcare and other types of service, and the extent of work still needed to include IVSC people fully within society.
