Seven Question... Ellen Durban

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I am researching married lesbian mothers in Britain from 1960–2000. Many of these mothers lost custody of – and often access to – their children after divorce in Britain following the 1969 Divorce Reform Act. I am interested in the motivations to be married with children to which all women are subjected, treatment of women (particularly lesbians) by the judicial system, and the tensions within the feminist movement between lesbians and heterosexual women. I hope to publish a monograph about these (mostly) forgotten women and their children whose lives were separated due to homophobia and judges’ bias towards the heterosexual nuclear family.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

I have had great deal of fun dancing Argentine tango around London (until the pandemic).

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

Although not exactly hidden, I love to visit the Columbia Road flower market.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

Visit museums, see art galleries and go to the theatre.

What’s one thing you’d like to see in a post-Covid world?

Milongas and people’s faces.

Who inspires you and why?

My fellow students and their passion for their research.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I can both ride and drive horses.